now recovered and was indeed judged so to have done by the three Lords mentioned when dineing with the Bride he had the honour of the Princesse Company and Supping of both their Majesties neither of these having fallne to the Spanish Ambassador at the Marriage of the Earle of Sommerset The 5. of January 1614. The Earl of Sommerset then Lord Chamberlain notwithstanding he understood how the yeare before the Spanish and Arch-Dukes Ambassadors had been invited to the Marriage of him the Earle of Sommerset and not the French nor the Venetian for the reasons elsewhere appeareing gave me directions to invite the Spanish and the Venetian not usually coupled ut supra to a Maske of Gentlemen set forth at the charge of his Majesty and to come at an houre about six in the Evening to a Supper that should be prepared for them in the Councel Chamber They both with one question of what Ambassadors would be there and my assurance that I understood of none besides themselves as indeed then I did not accepted the Invitation and came the next day at the time appointed A little before Supper the Spanish Ambassador taking me aside desired me to deale freely with him to tel him whether Sir Noell Caron the States Ambassador were invited and if invited what place was intended him whether in publique neere his Majesty or in private in some Corner of the Roome I answered that I knew then and not before that he was invited and would be there But in which of those conditions publique or private I could not resolve him Hereupon he requested me immediately to go to my Lord Chamberlain for clearing of this doubt wherewith acquainting his Lordship and he his Majesty I returned with this assurance That Sir Noell Caron was invited and should be placed within the Barres neare the King as Ambassadors used to be To this he made his replye desiring me to convey it to the Lord Chamberlaine that if Sir Noell Caron should be togeather with him at Supper or in any other place then in the Kings presence he would use him with all the respects of civility but in so honourable a place as that where the sacred persons of the King Queene and Prince were to be present he should never with patience see the Representant of his Masters Vassalls and Rebells so he called them hold an equall ranck with him That it was directly against his Instructions to concurr with him in any publique Act as an Ambassador and that therefore it would be better for him as he intended with the favour of his Majesty to retire himselfe betimes without noise then to be forced as he must to discharge his duty by publique exception and protestation against the presence of him Sir Noell Caron to the disturbance of so royall an Assembly and whereupon I told him as from my Lord Chamberlain that his Lordship was informed his predecessor Don Alonso de Velasco had stood upon no such Puntillio when Sir Noell Caron had at another time been invited as now and sate as it was now determined he should he said he was most assured there never had been such a concurrence so as returning from him with this answer I fortuned to deliver it in the hearing of my Lord Treasurer and received from his Lordship an assurance that upon his knowledge and in his sight his predecessor Don Alonso de Velasco had indured without any exception the placing of the States Ambassador at the left hand of the King while he Don Alonso sate on the right But this neither would satisfie him nor hold him from affirming that not to contradict he said my Lord Treasurer who yet might forget or mistake in some circumstances he would ingage his head to be cut off if there ever had been any such placing which being againe reported by me to my Lords Chamberlain and Treasurer they both went to the King and debating the businesse with his Majesty first in presence of sundry of the Bedd-Chamber and after more in private with halfe a dozen of other Lords my Lord Treasurer my Lord Chamberlain my Lord of Worcester and I to attend them were sent to him into the Councell Chamber and there intreating first the Venetian Ambassador to pardon them if they did awhile leave him alone taking onely the Ambassadors Interpreter and my selfe with them into a little Roome there by my Lord Treasurer delivered the Kings mind to this purpose That his Majesty having invited him to the Maske with a mind to give him all content was sorry that this question should grow to disturbe it That his Majesty went upon grounds of former presidents of the like concurrence in the time of the Ambassadors predecessors and that the had for witnesses of it besides his owne memorie the Queene the Prince and sundry of the Lords who affirmed they had seene it That his Majesty having heretofore intertained Sir Noell Caron in that manner and now invited him as an Ambassador he left it to his consideration what injury he should do to abate of his accustomed respects towards him That whereas the Ambassador affirmed it was formally his Instructions not to concurr with him in any publique Act his Majesty wondred that his predecessor should not have the like Instructions or having had such should forget or neglect to stand upon it that if he had any such his Majesty requested him that reserving other matter which he in no sort desired that he should communicate besides that purpose he might have a sght of it for his fuller satisfaction To this the Ambassador replyed with many acknowledgments of the honour his Majesty had done him c. That first the witnesses his Majesty had produced were so substantiall as should he with his owne eyes have seene the contrary he should not have trusted them in opposition of their Testimony That if it should be known to the King his Master that Don Alonso had committed such errour it would be enough to make him loose his head That it was true that in his generall instructions received from the hand of the King his Master it was not intended but that upon his Arrivall in England finding in what condition of respect Sir Noell Caron was held here he wrote particularly to the King for his pleasure about his manner of carriage towards Sir Noell Caron in case he should be put to it upon any incounter of Negotiation or otherwise whereunto he had received by letter from his Majesty his will intimating That in concurrence of ordinary civill respects he should use him with courtesy but in no case admit concurrence with him in or to any publique Act and that his Majesty should be an eye witnesse of the letter at his pleasure The Venetian who remaind in the meane time in the Councell Chamber having been by the Spanish Ambassador before the Lords entrance made acquainted with the difference like to grow had affirmed to him That he could himselfe remember that when Don
FINETTI PHILOXENIS SOM CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF Sr. JOHN FINETT KNIGHT And Master of the CEREMONIES to the two last KINGS Touching the Reception and Precedence the Treatment and Audience the Puntillios and Contests of Forren AMBASSADORS IN ENGLAND Legati ligant Mundum LONDON Printed by T. R. for H. Twyford and G. Bedell and are to be Sold at their Shops in Vine-Court Middle Temple and the Middle Temple Gate 1656. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP Lord Vicount Lisle c. MY LORD I Know well for I know it by Experience that your Lordship hath been trained up from a Youth in matters of Embassyes and Legantine Affaires as wel when you attended my Lord your Father to Denmark and other States of Germany as many yeares after in the French Court Therefore the Dedicatory addresse of this new Peece will not be adjudged incongruous by any discerning Reader but very pertinent considering the quality of the subject which treats of transactions of that nature being the Manuall observations of that knowing Knight and well accomplish'd Courtier Sir John Finett vvho officiated so many yeares in Affaires of that kind Therefore this Peece goes indented vvith many signall Passages of the Reception and Treatments of the Conduct Audiences the Pretences and Precedencies vvith divers Contests and Puntilioes of State between forren Ambassadors Among other parts of Industry vvhich vvere knovvn to be in that Worthy Knight one vvas to couch in vvriting and keep an exact Diary of vvhat things had passed in his Province as Master of the Ceremonies according to the laudable Custome of the Italians and transmitted by them to the high and low Dutch Ministers of State vvith others Moreover these Observations go interwoven vvith divers Historicall Passages and those most faithfully related there being nothing taken here upon trust but all upon his own knovvledge being stil upon the place himself and an Actor in every thing as appeared by the Manuscript he left And thus much out of the conversation I had often vvith him I vvas desired to tell the World Lastly Besides the Motives before mentioned there vvent another Inducement to this Election vvhich vvas the high respects and Honour I professe your Lordship having discovered in you a true Sidneyan Soule vvhich by a peculiar Noble Genius is observed to be extraordinarily inclin'd to the Theory and Speculative part of Vertue as vvell as to the Practicall In vvhich opinion I rest My most Honoured Lord Your very humble and ever ready Servant JAMES HOWELL Holborn this 20. of April 1656. THE Chief Heads and Substance of the ensuing DISCOURSE 1. THe Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented and the Kings Apologie for his satisfaction 2. The Braveries used at the Lady Elizabeths Wedding 3. Passages of Ambassadors about invitations to the Earl of Somersets Marriage 4. A clash betwixt the Savoy and Florence Ambassadors for precedence 5. Differences at a Mask betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors and the States 6. The Spanish Ambassador excepting against the States for sitting with him in the Kings presence 7. The Spanish Ambassador refusing to be at a Mask 8. The Venetian Ambassador discontented about his Present 9. Foure Ambassadors at a Readers Feast 10. Ambassadors invited to hunt with the King 11. Ambassadors invited to the Princes Creation 12. The rich present of Furres sent by the Emperour of Russia to the King 13. A clash betwixt the Spanish and French Ambassadors 14. Touching Sir Henry Manwayring 15. Exceptions taken by the French 16. The sitting of Ambassadors at a Mask with the King reform'd 17. Differences betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors reconcil'd 18. Of the flaunting Embassie of Monsieur Cadenet 19. Exceptions about placing 20. Six in joynt Ambassie at once from the States 21. The Russian Ambassadors puntillio for precedence 22. A great Embassie from the Emperour 23. Questions betwixt the Imperiall and Venetian Ambassadors concerning Titles and Visits the like with the French 24. The young Landgrave of Hessens entertainment 25. The States Ambassadors distasts 26. The Duke of Soubizes Negotiation 27. Exceptions taken by the Venetian Ambassadors 28. Exceptions of the States Ambassadors 29. The Prince his return from Spain 30. The French Ambassador gets ground of the Spanish 31. Difference betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors 32. Reasons for the Master of the Ceremonies to sit in the same Coach with the Ambassadors 33. A clash betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassador 34. Sir Robert Sherley Ambassador from Persia 35. Ambassadors extraordinary from France to treat of a Marriage 36. Death of King James and Solemnities of his Funerall 37. Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador 38. Reason of the Venetian Ambassador for Parity with Crownd heads 39. The King and Queens first interview at Dover 40. The Marquesse of Blamvillés contestations for formalities and his Lodging and Dyet at Court 41. His reason for not assisting at the Coronation 42. The great clash betwixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley 43. The French cashier'd from Court 44. Difference betwixt the Master of the Ceremonies and Jewell house who is to carry Presents to Ambassadors 45. Bethlem Gabors Ambassadors 46. The Reformation of Ambassadors sitting in publick and eating with the King 47. The Danish Ambassadors complaint 48. The Mantovan Ambassadors Expostulations 49. A new Declaration touching the Treatment of Ambassadors and the value of their Presents abated 50. The Expostulations of the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador 51. Questions and Puntillioes betwixt Regall and Ducall Ambassadors 52. The Lord Majors refusing to give place to the King of Denmarks Ambassador 53. A clash betwixt the Ambassador of Savoy and the Duke of Buckingham because he gave Sanctuary to my Lady Purbeck 54. The States Ambassadors exceptions and complaints how satisfied 55. The notable Plot the Spanish Ambassadors had traced to destroy the Duke of Buckingham With divers other Signall Passages of State and matters of remark wherewith the Discourse is interwoven In page 250. for and machinations read a machination with other small mistakes which the judicious Reader will not stumble at Sir JOHN FINETS OBSERVATIONS Touching Forren Ambassadors c. THE Count Palatine of the Rhone coming to marry the Lady Elizabeth landed at Graves end on Friday night the sixteenth of October and had his first welcom brought him thither from the King by the Lord Haye with the attendance of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and his second on Sunday following by the Duke of Lenox attended by many Lords Knights and Gentlemen the Kings Servants As he passed before the Tower in his Majesties Barges the discharge of the great Ordnance there served for a warning to the Earles of Shrewsbury Sussex Southampton and other Lords to waite on the Duke of Yorke to the Staires of White-Hall for his reception at his landing there and to conduct him to the presence of the King Queene Prince and Princesse in the Banqueting House where having made an humble reverence to his Majesty and passed his first Complement he addressed himselfe to
Alonso was invited as he was now by his Majesty he and Sir Noell Caron were seated in a compartment or place apart and that Don Alonso did except against Carons sitting in the same place neare his Majesty he affirmed also That howsoever it might now passe between the Spanish Ambassador and the States he himselfe would not permit that he should sit allato his own word in even ranck with him but all the Allegations of the Venetian were held to proceed rather from a spirit of disturbance forward as his naturally was to make ill businesse then that what he said was simply truth In fine the Lords returning with this Declaration of the Ambassadors to his Majesty came back soone after with his definite pleasure thus That since he could not accord this difference which troubled him much for the respects he bare to the Spanish Ambassador he had willed them to signifie to him that he might take what course should best please him And that if he would not stay the Maske he would take order that the States Ambassador should likewise depart to avoyd all further question about either of their pretences After this the Ambassador himselfe and the Lords fell to termes of reconciling if it could be possible the difference the Lords offering that the Spanish Ambassador should sit on the right hand of the King and at the Spaniards right hand the Venetian and that at the left hand next the Queene and Prince should sit the States Ambassador this he harkened not yeelded to but with such limitations as were not fit for Sir Noell Caron to admit of as that he should either sit a degree or step lower which the place would not afford or with some distance behind the Queene and that he should not enter with the King but some quarter of an houre after and the like but the conclusion was nothing being agreed on that they would informe the King of his resolution of departure and so left him yet immediately after they returned the third time and after some reasons to no prevaileing purpose I told him againe that the King desired to see the next day his instructions and so had sent him the good night The Lords being departed I stayed behind as was his Majesties pleasure and charge given me to tell him from his Majesty for conclusion thus much That he had not been driven to this streight without his owne fault because if he had made question in season and acquainted the King with the limitation of his instructions in that point there might have been another course had for prevention whereto he replyed that he had found his Majesty in all so gracious as he could not but with all most humble thankfulness acknowledge it and that it might be held indeed a fault in him that he had not before hand declared himselfe to that purpose but no man could foresee all things So haveing merrily requested the Lords before that since his Servants were not Ambassadors and would not strive for places they might be allowed roome to see the Maske he with one Gentleman his Secretary and a footeman I attending him to his Coach departed The King the next day at his dinner discoursing to this purpose brought forth amongst other Arguments this one against the Spanish Ambassador that the Exception or protestation he had made could not be any way made good by him the King of Spaines Agent in regard the Vassallage which the King his Master pretended of the States was not properly his but should belong if to any to the Arch-Dukes to whom he had made a cession of those Provinces and had likewise he said but a poore title to them having at the time of the Treaty of Truce between them agreed to treate with them as with a free State and given them since in severall letters the title and stile they pretend to and which all other Princes and States he said give them of Les Estats confederez de provinces vnies This dispute and difference occurred in the time that the Truce between the King of Spaine the Arch-Duke and the States yet lasted The Venetian Ambassador as soone as the Spanish was departed was conducted by me into the second Roome from the privie Gallerie and there attending till his Majesty and the Qucene came went along with them and was seated on the left hand of the King beneath the Queene and the Prince on the right At the same time the Agent of Florence to whom was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine to invite him Il. Gavallo Francis co Guarolesi no other then an ordinary Messenger of the Chamber as to a Minister inferiour to an Ambassador supped also in the Councell Chamber and followed the King to the Maske with the Venetian but having been ordained his seate in one of the Galleries he intreated me to moove the Lord Chamberlaine that as he understood the great Duke his Masters Agent and the Duke of Savoyes had been he might be placed among the Lords Earle of Suffolke which was assented to and he was placed by the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Treasurer there present beneath the lowest Baron the Lord Mordant and above Sir Thomas Howard second Son to the Lord Treasurer 26 of Oct. 1614. An Ambassador from the Emperor of Russia landing at Tower wharfe was there received by the Lord Danvers I and other Gentlemen his Majesties Servants attending his Lordship thither The five and twentieth of Aprill following he haveing been invited to dine with his Majesty at White-Hall was seated on his left hand towards the Corner of the Table and a Secretary that came in Commission with him at the Tables end He had two of his own Servants attending at his Elbow but with little Service the Kings Servants supplying and his other followers bestowed elswhere in the Court apart It was first ordered that the Prince should have dined there also seated at the Kings right hand towards the other end of the Table but this considered to be somewhat short the dishes many and doubted besides whether the Ambassador would have accepted of the place at his Majesties left hand if the Prince should have had the right his Highnesse dined not with his Majesty 1615 On St. Georges day the King of Spaines Ambassador discovered to the Master of the Ceremonies Sir Lewes Lewkner a desire he had to see the order of that Feast of the Garter wherewith the King made acquainted Don Diego Sarmiento his Majesty returned him an assurance of wellcome He was placed for sight of the procession as it should passe by upon the Terras in the window there about the middle of the Brick-wall that divides the first Court and the Cloyster Court and thence had his prospect upon his Majesty and the Knights in their passage who being returned to the Chappell he repaired thither through the Guard Chamber and had his place for sight of divine Service and Offering in the Kings Closet After retyring to the
Councell Chamber he had his dinner provided at his Majesties charge in the Lord Chamberlaines Lodgings therby and conducted thence in the time of his Majesties dinner to the Banquetting House he stood at his right hand intertaining discourse with him all the later part of his Majesties dinner About the beginning of July arrived at London a Young Nobleman of Poland Son to the great Zomoiski the famous Chancellour of that Kingdome he demanded accesse to his Majesty by a Germane one Ryder that then lived in England who speaking in hearing of Sir William Button Assistant of the Ceremonies as if the Master of the Ceremonies had been in great fault to have neglected to presse his desire of presenting his Service to the King was reprooved by Sir William Button for so rashly condemning the Master of the Ceremonies then imployd into Kent to meete and receive the new come French Ordinary Ambassador asking him if Zomoiski were a Prince Soveraigne or an extraordinany Ambassador that he should challenge that respect of a King not to be seene at the pleasure and time of every stranger But this difference quietted with the forward Germanes strikeing saile he had an Audience appointed and given him two dayes after in the Kings withdrawing Chamber The second or third day following the same Zâ—moiski sent to the Master of the Ceremonies to let him know of an invitation he had received from the King by a letter written to him in his Majesties name from Mr. John Murray of the Bedd-Chamber to hunt with his Majesty at Theobalds and asked by his Messenger the Master of the Ceremonies opinion and Counsell touching his intention to be present at Court the next Sunday as his letter intimated at the Audience for that day assigned of the new French Ambassador and touching his manner of carriage at it Answer was returned him by Sir Lewes Lewkner that he would not take upon him to resolve or advise a man of his quality especially having himselfe received no direction from the Lord Chamberlain to the purpose of his Invitation so left him doubtfull but not enough to hinder his repaire notwithstanding to Court on Sunday after dinner though too late to come to the Ambassadors Audience Who that day the second of July had it at Theobalds setcht in the Morning from his House at Charter-House by the Lord Walden appointed with Sir Lewes Lewkner Mons. de Mareth my selfe and halfe a score Gentlemen to accompany him thither whither he had for his transport one of the Kings Coaches and three others at the charge of his Majesty besides two or three of his owne providing Arriving at one of the clock he was brought to rest himselfe in the Councell Chamber and at two was called thence by the Master of the Ceremonies and conducted by the Lord Walden to his Audience in the Presence Chamber where the King standing under the State the Ambassador marcht towards him his owne followers first next the Kings Servants that had accompained him from London next before him Sir Lewes Lewkner and at his side the Lord Walden The Ambassador observing as little respect at his approaches as had been till then seene after some few wordes of Complement he presented his Letters which while his Majesty read he in all that time nor before did so much as cast his eye towards the Prince there present till Sir Lewes Lewkner rounding my Lord Walden in the eare his Lordship stept to him with an admonition for his addresse to the Prince which the Ambassador tooke But whether this admonition were well given or well taken or had been better deferred till the King had read his Letters or best of all perhaps intimated immediately after he had performd his respects to the King it may be a Quere His Majesty invited him once to cover at first but the Ambassador excusing the King put on and the other still stood bare headed till the King having read the Letter his Majesty put off againe and falling to a discourse with him of some length he never after covered till he was out of the Chamber He returned to London with Sir Lewes Lewkner and his followers attendance onely my Lord Walden leaving him at the Court gate and remaining that night not perhaps without a Solecisme in Ceremonie at Theobalds A day or two before his Audience a question fell out between Mr. Secretary Winwood and the Master of the Ceremonies whether the French Ambassador mentioned were or ought to be invited to dine at Court the Court being so far out of London the day of his first Audience Sir Lewes Lewkner said he knew of no such order why then quoth the Secretarie who should know it but his Majesty he added is ill served and ill instructed and those things now a dayes which should be done are not and those not done which should be The other replyed he was none of his Majesties Tutors and for himselfe he was to receive his directions from the Lord Chamberlaine and without them not to undertake any thing in his Office but to answer he said more directly he knew not wherein he had done amisse yes when said Mr. Secretary this French Ambassadors Ordinary was met by you in Kent when he should not and should have had a dinner provided for him in Court the day of his first Audience An errour of the Secretary which was neglected Sir Lewes produced his owne experience against both his assertions affirming he had met such and such Ambassadors on the way at some Towne between London and Dover and extraordinaries at their first landing and that Ambassadors Ordinary had many times to his knowledge had no dinner given them by the King at their first Audience November the first Seignior Barbarigo who about a moneth before came to reside here Ambassador in place of Seignior Foscarini departed his Majesty being at that time absent at Royston was conducted from Charter-house to White-Hall by the Lord Haye for his first Audience attended by many Gentlemen of his Majesties privy Chamber in two of the Kings Coaches and seaven or eight of the Lords besides five or six others hyred by himselfe Being come to White-Hall he had his conduction together with his Predecessor through the first Court up the great Staires by the Guard Chamber into the Councell Chamber where my Lord Haye remaining with him while the Master of the Ceremonies went to give an account that he was come he was after brought to his Majesty in the Presence no other Lord receiving him at the Presence doore the Earle of Somerset Lord Chamberlaine being then in Prison His Predecessor preceding and first speaking he delivered his Letters and a breife speech with a voice audible over all the Roome Whence reconducted by the same Lord and the Gentlemen mentioned to his house they there found beyond expectation a long Table ready covered and many white wax Lights not yet it not being foure of the Clock lighted When my Lord Haye offering
perhaps of note of his small Traine he was introduced to his Audience by a private way over the Leads into the Prevy Gallery where the King with two or three of his Councell and exclusion of others gave him Audience The 21. of March I had Command with his Majesties Coach to conduct him from his Longing in the Strand to White Hall by the way of the Park and Galleries to the Ordinary Chamber of Ambassadors Attendance and thence after some two hours presence of stay there to the presence of his Majesty in the private Gallery The Conde de Gondemar sent Extraordinary Ambassasador from the King of Spaine arriving at Dover about the beginning of March was met there with Coaches by the Masters of the Ceremonies at Gravesend by the Earle of Dorset and by him with many of the Kings Servants and near thirty Coaches brought from his Landing out of the Kings Barge c. at Tower Wharfe to the Bishop of Elyes House in Holborne taken up for him with an Example not unmurmured at The 12. of March He had his first publique Audience conducted to it by the Earle of Arrundell at White Hall where after some small time of repose in the Councell Chamber passing over the then ruinous woodden Terras at the instant that he was entring the first great doore next that of the Guard Chamber the weight of the over thronging multitude next about him pressing downe part of the Plancks and Joyces under him that it suddainly fell and with all the Earle of Arrundell the Lord Gray and others with great danger and some hurt particularly to one youth who under the ruins had his arme and shoulder broken the Ambassador having received but halfe a fall of the nether parts of his Body onely his Servants next him staying and holding him by the upper as he was at the instant of entring under the doore The danger and feare of it past he was received at the Presence doore by the Lord Chamberlain and brought to the Presence of his Majesty without discomposition of countenance or otherwise for his fall rather merrily excusing it as an effect of his hast and longing to see his Majesty The Kings day March the foure and twentieth returning towards the Solemnity usuall at it of running at the Tylt c. his Majesty was pleased to send an Invitation to the Spanish Ambassador extraordinary Count of Gondemar and also to the French Ambassador Ordinary the Count de … lleurs to be there and because of their accustomed difference about precedence there was care had as much as might be to please them both to to their satisfactions especially his Majesty being resolved for his reasons before alleadged of the trouble they brought with them in that point to admit neither of them to sit under the Seate next him Hereupon it was concluded on his Majesties part and the places offered to both their considerations that they should be both seated in severall places on his right hand thus The French Ambassador in the first Window of the Duke of Lenox his Lodging over the great Gate next without the Tilt-yard East-ward and the Spanish in a standing dressed up of purpose over the Porters Lodge within the Tilt-yard Upon view both in equall distance from his Majesty The Spaniard professed to be pleased with his allotment but the French not so alleadging though he had at the first seemed content with the distribution that the Spaniards assigned place was in publique and in the Kinge eye his not but in a private corner out of the view of the King and almost of the people though in scituation higher then the other and in the same body of the Kings House but that which he most urged and stood upon was that suppose there should be in their rancking there no difference and that they should be both placed and entertained on equall termes yet even that was a Subject for a maine exception in regard that the French King his Master would not he said treate with the Spaniard as questioning onely parity nec vult Gaesarve priorem Pompeiusve parem but as making no question of his right of Priority which he would challenge and take as his due wheresoever Besides he said because the Spaniard might seeme to haue the better place as being most in the Kings and peoples sight and that place allotted him more retyred and out of view though within the Body of the Kings own House he desired that if the place were so equall as some Spanishly inclined pretended he might have the first choyce and it should content him In fine being left herein unsatisfied he absolutely refused to come at all or to send his Lady though her place were already assigned her in a Compartment provided and kept for her neere his Majesty within the Gallery so as in conclusion the Spaniard remained Master of the Field where no Enemy appeared taking his place appointed over the Porters Lodge as mentioned In the meane time other Questions grew between other Ambassadors then also invited as between the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Ambassador of Venice Signior Landi the Duke of Savoys Ambassador Seignior Gabellione and the States Ambassador Sir Noell Caron they all invited made promise to be there and to content themselves with the places appointed them at the lower end of the Tilt-yard in the House of the Lady Walsingham but the Venetian understanding the day before that the King of Bohemias Ambassador was to accompany the Ambassador of the Princes of the Union in his way homewards as far as Gravesend and supposing he could not possible returne in time to be present at the Titling he sent Sir Lewes Lewkner to my Lord Chamberlain to intimate Crowned Heads or Kings Ambassadors That whereas the Ambassador of Venice had been ever accustomed to be treated al pare with the Ambassadors of Teste Coronate if he should be placed apart with onely the Duke of Savoys and States Ambassadors at one end of the Tilt-yard and the Spanish Ambassador alone at the other Axiome it would be a diminution of his quality the first place of an inferiour degree being ever held he said worse then the last of a Superiour and that rancking being not regall which was that he pretended but ducall as he must esteem it if he might not have the King of Bohemias Ambassador for companion Upon this formality of the Venetian the Master of the Ceremonies repairing to the Bohemian Ambassador and receiving his assurance with promise that he would returne in time from Gravesend and be there in person the Venetian and Savoyard Gabellione concluded likewise with promise to each other to be there and with them the States Ambassador but this last the Evening before obtruded a new exception and sent word to my Lord Chamberlain that he had an express command from his Masters the States which it seemes he had not so well thought of or had forgotten till then not to
with whom though he had no correspondency of business nor visits he had yet of Salutation and civill respects which had many times in incounters in the Streets passed between them and might and should pass on his part at the Mask if he should there meete him This message returned by me to the Lord Chamberlaine and seconded at the same time by the Ambassadors Secretary and my Lord conveying it to the King his Majesty was pleased that he should be as he was the next day invited and was at the Maske entertained with the like respect as was the Spanish Ambassador The States Ambassadors were not at the same time invited with respect to the incompatibility between them and the Spanish and the Russian then here might with as little reason expect it in regard he had questioned precedence of all other Kings Ministers The French Ambassador had an Invitation pro forma tantum with a civill request of his next comming to avoid question which it seemes he tooke not with discontent because his Wife and Neece were there present invited In March 16. Sir William Russell a cheife Merchant of the Muscovy company made request in his own name and of the rest of that Society that I would sometimes repaire to the Russian Ambassador a gallant Gentleman of the Emperours Alliance and a great Commander in his Wars by name Thomas Simonwitz with a visit and Complement in his Majesties name I told him the Master of the Ceremonies was already imployed for his attendance and that with the knowledge and order of the Lord Chamberlain or of the Lords of the Privy Councell and I should wrong him and my selfe to undertake it This made him with other of those Merchants to intimate as much to the Councell in the Lord Chamberlains absence So I was by their Lordships appointed to attend that business and had notice given me to that purpose both by Sir William Russell and Mr. Secretary Calvert to whom objecting the Exceptions that might be justly taken by Sir Lewes Lewkner if he were not made acquainted with the imployment cast on me by the Lords in a Service wherein he was already entred I had for my further Satisfaction a messenger sent to Sir Lewes by Mr. Secretary who returned with an uncertain answer no other then that he would himselfe come and speak with Mr. Secretary about it but coming not in five or six dayes after and Sir William Russell and the other Merchants continuing to solicit my repaire to the Ambassador he went himselfe to Sir Lewes and brought me his assurance of satisfaction with acknowledgement of my civill procceding and with profession of his willingnes that I should enter upon the imployment which I did the next day Going to the Ambassadors Lodging in St. Thomas Apostles and signifying as I had instruction from Mr. Secretary that the King had sent me to him c. He professed to be specially contented and pleased that whereas he had hitherto he said had no other but Sir William Russell a Merchant and no Souldier nor Courtier to be his Prestau as he termed him signifying the like Officer as the Master of the Ceremonies he should be henceforth honoured by the visits of a Cavalier and a Courtier attending his Majesty with whom he might and would be more free in communicating whatsoever should concern the Service of his great Lord and Master the Emperour The Eve of the Kings day March the foure and twentieth I was sent to him for my Lord Chamberlain as from the King whose name though his Majesty had nothing of the knowledge nor trouble of it I alwayes used in all or most of my messages and addresses to him to let him understand that the next day I was to attend him to the sight of the Prince at his Tilting with the Service of his Majesties coach and such others as should be needfull for his followers which coaches were to be provided at the Merchants charge though with use of the Kings name but before he accepted of the Invitation onely acknowledging the honour of it he by way of caution demanded if I knew what place he should have and how entertained in regard he said that if his Majesty should not receive him as an Ambassador preceding both the French and Spanish he would rather keep himselfe absent then disturbe the Solenmity by protesting and standing as he must for his Masters right I assured him the care for prevention of that quarrell was already taken by his Majesty and so it was indeed For whereas the French and Venetian Ambassadors were also invited the Spaniard the like but he had excused his absence with his retrait to Highgate to take the fresh aire and merrily saying when he was invited that he had rather keep away then be present at those Excercises of danger to the Prince his person till he should be Father of two or three Children by the King his Masters Daughter those Ambassadors were appointed their places without in the Tilt-yard in a Scaffold or standing erected of purpose and hung with Tapistry on the right hand of the King neere the Gate but the Muscovite had his ordained in the same Gallery with his Majesty but on his left hand and with a Traverse drawn between them till that after the Tilting he was onely to see the Kings face and so depart all which he interpreted to be the greater honour the other Ambassadors letting it pass in the meane time without Exceptions as regarding his remote correspondence and holding themselves not prejudiced by his so placing The French and Venetians followers were ordained their stands under the Gallery Windowes at the right hand of the King the Muscovits at the entring of the Tilt-yard on that side and the States at the neather end All those Stands as before at other times having been taken up by the Master of the Ceremonies or the Assistants order to be defrayed by his Majesty The States three Ambassadors Commissioners were ordained their places at the lower end of the Tilt-yard as the yeare before and this without any of their Exceptions taken at it But the Venetian Ambassador somewhat punctuall in remembrance of his last years Treatment and now expecting the like respects to be given him as he understood were to be given to the French Ambassador for Sir Lewes Lewkner being appointed to conduct him my selfe the Muscovits and Sir Robert Anstroder the States Ambassador he was as it seemes he understood it not thought on to that purpose so as sending to me about it and I acquainting my Lord Chamberlain with his formality his Lordship entreated by me Sir Edward Sackvill the Earle of Dorsets Brother to accompany him which he being the next day ready to have performed the Solemnity was in regard of the Kings indisposition and the fowleness of the weather deferred till the Saturday following and then the like upon the like occasion till after Easter and so longer till at length it was not at all
Devonshire with the Lord Bruse and others in twenty five Coaches attending his Majesty he rested himselfe in the Councell Chamber and there entring the Presence was at the doore receiued by the Lord Chamberlain there presented by his Predecessor Seignior Landi he spake breifely and departed Having visited his Predecessor the Saturday before and after at the same time himselfe something unseasonably perhaps before he had had his Audience Seignior Landi seemed to complaine as of a neglect cast upon his Successor that he had not yet received a wellcome from his Majesty by some person of Title as had been he said the Custome of proceeding towards all his Predecessours Wherewith I acquainted my Lord Chamberlain brought for an answer from his Lordship that he understood not but that the Complement of wellcoming Ambassadors from the King upon their Arrivall had been-onely used at such times as their Audience was excused for having been deferred for reason of some instant pressing affaires of his Majesty but that for this time the interim would be so small between his Arrivall and his Audience as that the visit would hardly be given or at the least would be excusable if omitted which answer passed for currant both with him and the other as he professed to me when I first visited him after his Audience onely he desired that my Lord Chamberlain would but intimate his reason to him personally when he would next see him that he might receive the more honour from his own Testimony as he did after to his satisfaction His Predecessour next day after his Audience took leave of his Majesty accompanied to it at Greenwich by the Lord North And also the girdle and hang er when he received the honour of Knighthood from his Majesty and had the day after according to Custome the Sword wherewith he was Knighted sent to him from his Majesty and two or three dayes after an addition to his Armes in memory of his imployment hither June the thirteenth the Russian Ambassador being upon his departure after I had the day before assured my Lord Chamberlain whereof he doubted that Ambassadors from those parts had usually at their parting as at their first Arrivall some person of Title to accompany them to their imbarking I went in my Lord Chamberlains name as for his Majesties Service to the Lord Stanhop who accepted of it we went together the next day in the Kings Coach to the Ambassadors House and thence with five other to the Tower Wharffe where his Lordship leaving the Ambassador This entred the Kings Barge his followers in an other and with the Company of Sir John Merrick Alderman Hammersley and other Merchants we came to Gravesend Lodged at the Christopher were there Feasted that night by the Muscovy Company and the next morning making use of the Kings Barge to carry us to their Ships riding foure miles off at Tilbery he there imbarkt and we returned that night to London The 24. of June The Venetian Ambassador Ordinary Seignieur Girolomo Lando parted from London without the Master of the Ceremonies attendance to Gravesend his Company spared them as not of use or Custome for an Ordinary at departure neither had he the Kings Barge appointed for his Transport whereat the chiefe Barge-Master Warner respecting his Interest murmured as at a course unusuall and with wrong to the Ambassadors quality But herein he was mistaken the use being as hath bin said otherwise The Thursday before his parting on the Monday when it was not known but that he would be gone the Saturday he had received not one word to the purpose of his Present when it should be brought him Inso much as glancing in discourse with me at the affront as he called it like to be put upon him in his particular but in the generall upon his Republick Meaning Sir Lewes Lewkener who could never relish that States Ministers as Troppo steretti dimano not unlike to proceed he said from some ill affected to it I wrote to my Lord Chamberlaine about it and his Lordship with some passion recommending the consideration of it to the Lord Treasurer Order was given and the business effected after the proportion as my Lord Chamberlaine told me of 1200. ounces of gilt plate being two hundred more then were given his Predecessor Forscareni as with more respect to his better merit and to his nobler fashion of carriage here towards persons of all conditions beyond any or most of his Predecessors After the young Prince Landsgrave of Hessen had made about three moueths stay in England in which time he made a posting Journey to see Scotland he went in Coach with my company to Windsor there to take leave of his Majesty the sixth of July but could not have his Audience being remitted with reason of his Majesties then pressing affaires till Tuesday when after the Sermon whereat he was present entring with my conduction by the door of the Terras Staires into the Presence I received command to bring him through the Princes Lodgings into a Back-withdrawing Roome there behinde the Kings Privy Lodgings whence the King comming to him he with his two Assistants Councellors to his Father Master Klingelbuck and Master Zoble had his Audience and Farewell of the King and of the Prince also in the same place Thence he returned to London and the sixth of July imbarqued for Gravesend whether I accompanied him though without Order or without use of the Kings Barge or other respect of Extraordinary Honour by Present or the like only I moving the Lord Admirall the Marquis of Buckingham for a Ship of his Majesty to transport him in regard of some hazard to his person not unlikely to come from the Dunkerkers if they should light on him at Sea he being then in the States pay Commander of a Company he had assigned him a Lesser of two Ships then riding in the Downes 24 pouud which by directions of Sir William Saint Johns Vice-Admirall was to take him in at Dover A Mask to be presented by the Prince the Marquis of Buckingham and other Gentlemen on Twelfnight 1622. was for that day and a second remitted till Sunday the ninth of January principally with regard to his Majestes indisposition but as some thought not without expectation that the States Ambassadors would first be gone to avoide the distaste that might be taken from their not Invitation whereto it seemed his Majesty for some Spanish respect as was thought had no great affection But they staying their business with the Merchants about composing the East-Indian differences being not yet concluded divers underhand passages and discourses for and against the sight of the Maske were carried to and fro as much as might be to content them and not displease others For first they had an offer made them to have a Boxe appointed them apart and by themselves only which they absolutely refused Ambassadors Ordinarie before having had said they the honour to sit with his
Majesty in the same place together with the French and other Kings Ambassadors as also with the Spanish till that Question fell between him and Sir Noell Caron but the intention in truth was that they should not then be invited at least to be ranked in publick as they pretended it to be their due al par delle Teste Coronate and reasons were framed to keep them off from discontent as well as from their apparence there but they might seem not of the Substantiallest As first that the States having given their assistance to the Rochellers against the French King the presence of their Ministers would be distastfull and in a manner incompatible codem loco tempore honore with that Kings Ambassadors but this proved not exclusion the French intended to make no such having as he said to me no order for it neither had the pretended distasts for the States former assistance yet passed he said so far as to publick notice and exception from the King his Master Another exclusion was obtruded upon their pretence of Precedence to the Duke of Savoys Ambassador but no such Ambassador being now in England there wanted ground for that exclusion also Arsennes Stavencts and Basse The last was against their number that they could not all there be conveniently seated together with his Majesty with the other Ambassadors invited but this Bar they removed by their answer that if they might have the honour of an Invitation there should be but one of them present to receive it esteeming that a sufficient honour to the rest absent In a word when neither these reasons nor others would serve to still their Exceptions against their not being invited they were referred to adventure of content or not content and so were not at all invited Onely a dozen of their followers had places assigned them over the Lord Chamberlains Box at the entrance into the Banquetting House from the Princes Galleries Monsieur de' Arsennes Son and their Secretary Sr. Constantine Huggins were placed on the fourme beneath the Lords The French Ambassador that night and the Venetian supped with the Duke of Lenox and entered the Roome with the King both seated there on his left hand the French even with him and the Venetian somewhat more forward The Negotiation of the States Ambassadors with our East-Indian Merchants being brought in appearance to a finall conclusion the Master of the Ceremonies onely without any Titular Person was sent for them with the Kings Coach January the one and twentieth to take their leaves of his Majesty but a new difference in the interim occuring they were sent to at two of the Clock the instant of their setting forth and were stayed their Journey which appointed for the Fryday following they had againe the Kings Coach with the Master of the Ceremonies and one other sent for them and entring White-Hall by the Parke and Tiltyatd Gallery they attended his Majesties time he being then ill at ease in the Chamber of Ordinary Audience next that of the Stone Table whereinto after an houre they were called by Mr. Secretary Conway and being there with the Commissioners for that businesse upon point of signing their generall agreement a new question arose from the Merchants with exception against the validity of their caution which lasting til late at night Mr. Secretary in the mean time passing often between them and the King they had a dismission for the next dayes Audience of his Majesty to which the Earle of Warwick had appointment to conduct them his Lordship having said in the hearing of some of the Lords who after told it to the Lord Chamberlain that it was fit some person of honourable Title not Sir Lewes Lewkner onely should be sent to their Lodgings to accompany them to Court at their last Audience which my Lord Chamberlain excusing as forgotten by him having not been put in mind of it he said by Sir Lewes it was against the next day provided for when the Earle of Warwick accordingly attended with two or three other Noblemen and divers Gentlemen of the Kings Servants in eight or nine Coaches besides the kings brought them to Court where passing through the Guard Chamber and Presence into the Councell Chamber on the late Queens side they there rested till the Lords Commissioners for their businesse came to them and after an hours expence in discourse about some remaining rubs It was finally agreed on and the Lord together with the Ambassador having signed to the accord their Lordships leaving them repaired to the King and after them followed the Ambassadors through the late Queens Lodgings into the Privy Gallery where entring the Kings withdrawing Chamber they there took their leaves the three Ambassadors with Sir Noell Caron first and after the other inferiour Commissioners strangers for that business Monsieur Stavenets was there Knighted and two other having been knighted before viz. Monsieur de Arsennes by the King of France and Monsieur Basse by the King of Sweden The next day being to take leaue of the Prince they had sent for their conduct Sir Robert Car Gentleman of his Highnesse Bed-Chamber with the Kings and Prince's Coaches entring by the Privy Garden Gate at White-Hall and thence by the further end of the long Stone Gallery into the Prince his Lodgings where in his Chamber of presence he gave them their Audience and farewell thence they went to visite and take leave of the Marquess of Buckingham and so home The first of February after they had spent here the full time of fourteen moneths in Negotiating and had had of the King and Councell above sixty Audiences they went in Coaches of their own without the Kings to Tower Wharffe and there imbarked in hyred and borrowed Barges to their Ships which laid not far off and were purposely sent to transport them This default of the Kings Coach and Barge at their parting ever woont at that time to serve Ambassadors proceeded from the Master of the Ceremonies who should have been my Lord Chamberlains Remembrancer for I acquainted his Lordship after with the omission and I had for answer that he knew not of the certaine time of their departure which the Master of the Ceremonies might and ought to have observed if he had not learned overmuch to some others particular satisfaction The Spanish Ambassador or been over partiall c. At ten in the morning when they were all ready to depart the Present from his Majesty was not come which for that slackness they were upon point of leaving behind them but the Master of the Jewel-House Sir Henry Mildmay even then in tempore arriving and personally presenting it as he said his Majesty had particularly cōmanded him though that might seem to have been said ad captandum they received for each of the three Commissionershares five hundred ounces of faire gilt plate and to their Secretary Sir Constantine Huggins a Chaine of Gold of a hundred markes more by twenty pound
March ten moneths after when begining their voyage the two differing Ambassadors in severall Ships they all three dyed on the way and with them the quarrell and inquirie after it The Venetian Ambassador Seignior Pesaro called home somewhat sooner then other Ambassadors of that States formerly had been parted hence to Gravesend without other attendance then those of his Family having sent me after I had taken my last leave of him a Gold Chaine of five ounces weight and the like of little more valew to the Master of the Ceremonies He had no sooner passed the Seas but here arrived by the way of the low Countryes two Gentlement sent Extraordinary Ambassadors from Venice the one Seignior Coraro who had resided here Ordinary about fourteen yeares before and Seignior Contareni they Landed at Gravesend seasonably for observation of the new order resolved on by his Majesty that no Ambassador should be met and received further off then there and were thence conducted by Sir Lewes Lewkner c. to their Landing at Tower-wharffe where they were welcom'd by the Earle of Dorset accompanâ—ed by the Lord Herbert Castle Island and other Gentlemen my selfe one not as an Officer or listed for it but Voluntary with the Kings Coach and seventeen other not one of them taken up at the Kings charge as had been accustomed but borrowed of Noblemen to avoid the charge of the Master of the Ceremonies professed to the Lord Chamberlain he would not undergo without assurance of better re-imboursment of his money then he had met with and were brought to their Lodgings in Aldersgate-street at the Lord Peters House defrayed there by the King with all their attendance of allmost an hundred Persons their Diet compounded for by Philipp Verzellini an Italian who had lived long in England at 40 l. per diem not comprehending the charge of the Houses Furniture being all the Kings and waited on by his Majestyes Officers and Servants whereof twelve of the Guard gave their dayly attendance The five and twentieth of June Sunday they were fetched to their publick Audience at Greenwich by the Earle of Carliel from their House in the Kings Coach and other to Tower Wharffe and thence by Barges introduced by the way of the great Gate Hall and Guard-chamber to the Presence where his Majesty standing under the State to receive them Seignior Carara spake first breifly delivering their credence when the other setling himselfe as to begin a more formall set speech his Majesty looking about for one to interpret the Master of the Ceremonies being retyred out of sight not over forward to do Offices of his Office to that State I being called to by the Lord Chamberlain made a repetition of the cheife heads and some of the Ambassadors long Oration to the King and after of his Majesties breife replye which done they returned accompanied as before to London The Sunday following they had a second Audience in private by the way of the Patke through the Privy-galleries to the Withdrawing-chamber there fetcht to it from their home by the Earle of Holland an honour not formerly afforded any Ambassador to have an Earles conduct from their House to a private Audience to which customarily none was to bring them from home but the Master of the Ceremonies though their Ambassage were Extraordinary and if ordinary he to have received them no further off then at their descent from their Coach at the Court Gate or foot of the Stayres next the Parke But this honour was done them by the Kings especiall pleasure and command as I was told it might or may be hereafter of trouble by the consequence when other over-punctuall Ministers of that State may perhaps challenge the like from president The second of July the Lord Conway Secretary of State sent word to my Lord Chamberlain then somewhat indisposed of the arrivall of two Commissioners from Hamborough who were styled by their followers whom they sent before with their Letters of credence Lords Ambassadors Their Letters being opened in the Lord Chamberlains sight Mr. Secretaries and mine the Commissioners were therein thus named Spectabilem Doctissimum virum Dominum Luntzman Syndicum c. Spectabilem virum Dominum Brand Senatorem c. Ablegavimus which words made me question the right and reception they seemed to pretend to of Ambassadors so far as communicating my reasons with my Lord Chamberlain and receiving his opinion that Ablegavimus was no more then we have deputed as our Ministers I was sent back to my Lord Conway and by him when also ill at ease with their concurring opinions to the King who approving them left me to follow my Lord Chamberlains directions according to which I that night wellcomed them at their Lodgings at Crouchet Fryars in name of his Majesty and let them know his pleasure for their Audience the next day at one of the clock to which I fetched them in the Lord Chamberlains coach onely least the use of the Kings might have seemed to raise their respects to the title they seemed to affect but upon better advise refused of Ambassadors they were received of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber where one of them having made a formall harange containing besides complement of condoleing and congratulating a complaint against his Majesties Ships lying at the mouth of the Ebb and hindering their free Traffique and an humble request of his leave to transport through his Seas without molestation Corne Powder Copper and Cordage to France and Italy their Merchants entering caution to their Senat that they should not transport any to Spaine then our Enemy his Majesty entered answered them by my interpretation that he would gladly continue with them the friendly correspondence held by his deceased Father and did not nor would interrupt them either at the mouth of their River or else-where at Sea for any quarrell he had to them or any way to hinder their Traffique but only keep them from Trading with the King of Spaine his Enemy which by Law of Nations and in justice he might and would do To which purpose they should further repaire to his Councell to whom he would give Order for their access to Negotiate so dismissed they returned and I with them to their Lodgings The sixth of July an Ambassador Extraordinary Paul Rozenerantz sent from the King of Denmark arriveing at Gravesend Then but a Baron and no Privy Councellor was there received by Sir Lewes Lewkner two dayes after at Tower-wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him brought to his Lodging in Lumbard-Street where he had his Diet defrayed by his Majesty at eighteen pound per diem His attendance of the Kings Servants consisted only of a Gentleman Usher daily Waiter a Sewer and two others without any of the Guard daily to attent him His own Trayne passed not in all a dozen persons The day after his Arriveall he sent to know his Majesties pleasure for his Audience which
come presently along with the Hambourgh Commissioners to the Queen as I had been first appointed In obedience whereof I presently taking Boat with them and landing at the Common-Court Staires we were there met by two of her Majesties Gentlemen-Ushers of her Presence Chamber and by them told that we should not repaire to any place of repose which I had assigned in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side because her Majesty was already staying for them in her Privy Galleries whether going by the passage of the Privy Staires they there had their access the Queen standing at one side of the Gallery amonst the Ladies This succeeded the Eve of the day July 31. that the French were removed from about the person of her Majesty the Kings Order to me ut supra relating to that important business The 13. of August The Ambassador of Denmark went in the Kings Coach his two Coaches defrayed by his Majestie attending to an Audience at None-such in the Privy Chamber there all but the Lords of the Privy Councell excluded he was fetcht to it from his Chamber of Repose such being the Kings pleasure though more then usuall at a private Audience by the Earle of Dorset The 23. of August An Ambassador Ordinary from Venice by name Alanso Coutarim having resided with the States of the United Provinces arrived at Gravesend where he was received by the Master of the Ceremonies was welcomed from the King at his Landing at Tower-Wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Then but a Baron Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him conducted to his House at Charter-House where intreated to stay Supper an invitation which upon so short warning savoured more of good Fellowship then Courtship his Lordship and those with him had an Royall intertainment The 13. of September The King having received at Theobalds the unhappy news of an Overthrow given the King of Denmark by the Count of Tilly Generall for the Emperor came to London and that morning sent for the Ambassador of Denmark to come to him after Dinner and received him at Denmark-House the Queen then there in the Privy Chamber introduced by Sir George Goring Vice-Chamberlaine to her Majestie and fetcht from the Lord Carews Lodging by the Queens Gentleman-Usher The 21. of September A Messenger formerly sent by the same Ambassador to the King his Master being returned he demanded and had an Audience of his Majesty in the Presence at Hampton Court without reposing any where though the Chappell had been assigned for it That night he returned to London he was pleased to excuse my attendance further then to my House in his way at Twittenham where he had taken me up to his Coach in his passage to his Audience of his Majesty He had demanded this access to his Majesty two or three dayes before by the King his Masters Agent Ma. Belaw but whether it had not been more properly carried to have gone immediatly to Court and there in person to have by the Lord Chamberlaine demanded an immediate Audience considering the neer relation between his Master and the King and the consequence of the newes then brought him of his Masters defeate was by some and may be with reason made a Quere The 22. of September as I was at Supper with the Ambassador of Denmarke one came to me with this message That Monsieur Quadt an Honourable Gentleman sent Ambassador from the Prince of Transilvania Bethlem Gabor being that day arrived here had address by Letters both from the Prince his Master and from the King of Bohemia to Monsieur Rosberf residing here for the affaires of that King but understanding that Monsieur Rosberf was out of Town and my selfe one of the Kings Masters of Seremonies to be there he desired my advise and furtherance for his proceeding I answered the Messenger that my way must be by the Lord Chamberlaine for his to his Majesty and that to that purpose I would repaire presently to his Lordships approbation of my Opinion that Monsieur Rosdrose returne to whom the Ambassador had such a particular address it was unfit and needless to give notice of him to his Majesty I went to him though without Commission and complied with him the next morning where receiving his allowance with thanks for my course taken and advise to stay the returning of Rosdrofe I wrote to this Gentleman how I had procecded and sent my Letter by his Servant In the meane time his Majesty having notice of the Ambassadors arriveall signified his pleasure by my Lord Chamberlaine to Master Rosdrose then returned and to me that the correspondence between the Ambassador and themselves considered and answerable to the proposition made by us two Two Ambassadors Arriving at different times lodged and defrayed in one House and at one Table from themselves the Prince of Transilvanians Ambassador and the King of Denmarks should be lodg'd together in the same house and dieted at the same Table with addition of ten pound per diem to the others eighteen pound The traine of the latet consisting but of four persons and that he should be admitted to his Andience the Tuesday following which was performed accordingly I accompanying to Hampton Court with the service of only two hired Coaches each with four horses He had allowed him by the Lord Chamberlaine one Coach with four horses daily to attend his service but for his Majesties profit and with the Ambassadors likeing I brought it to an attendance at such times only as he should be pleased the Evening before to command it In the mean time I doubting that some of those respects ordinarily given to Ambassadors at their first Audiences might be omitted whereof but that he himfelfe professed to affect privacie it was one not to have a Titular person appointed to accompany him thence to the Court I sent a Groome of the Chamber early that morning to order what my Lord Chamberlaine had left unordered and to have some Nobleman to meete and receive him there at his descent out of his Coach This being incharged to the Lord Compton he received no sooner then at the second Gate and there turning up the great staires through the great Hall and Guard-chamber the King was already under the State in the Privy-chamber expecting him which by suddainnesse of his approach so danted him as though he passed through well with his Latine Oration he forgot to present his Letters of Credence and was forced after his parting from his Majesty to send them back to him with excuse of his Servants absence whom he feyned to have had them about him when he being so suddainly without stay any where introduced and his Secretary left in the Press behind him could not come at them opportunely to deliver them All the time of his Audience he never covered being not invited to it by his Majesty who likewise stood all that time uncovered After he had finished his Oration and that his Majesty by me had given him a breife
not have him to cover in his Presence either from his Example or Invitation the King answered that I had well observed and understood it and that he had purposely kept off his own hat least the other might have put on his which for some considerations he was not yet satisfied to be convenient c. During the time of this Ambassadors stay here there passed no visite or other correspondence between him and the Venetian both of them pretending to precedence and not appearing upon the title to be mutually given of Excellenza or because the latter stood upon it that he was not visite first though the other came last being a Representant of a State that pretended to a parity with crowned Heads The fourth of December he took Barge at the Savoy Staires without any conduct though offered perhaps irregularly being no Kings Ambassador and went that night to Gravesend for his further Journey The night before his departure after many complementall Excuses of the length of his Journey and shortness of his provisions for it he presented me with a Purse and in it thirty peeces He gave to the master of the Jewell-House two dayes before a chain of fifteene pound value which was received but coldly as a gratuity beneath expectation and not proportioned to his quality There being a Maske in practice of the Queen in person with other great Ladies for the end of Christmas I three or foure dayes before Twelftide asked my Lord Chamberlain what course would be taken with the Ambassadors here resident Contareni for Venice and Joachimi for the States he answered that the King had already signified his pleasure that if they would come they should be wellcome and have places apart provided for them but that his Majesty was resolved never more to admit any Ambassadors resident to sit next his person under the State no more then to eate with him in publick I replyed that I thought this change in his Majesty from his Fathers manner would draw some Puntillious exception or Cavill from the Venetian unlesse it were seasonably and heedfully carried which to prevent it would not be I thought amiss for his Lordship to send to the Master of the Ceremonies for use of his experience which referred to me I wrote to him about it that morning he came to Court and thence after conference with my Lord went to both those Ambassadors the Venetian and the States This made no question of his comming nor placing other then as the King should command onely he said that if the Venetian should refuse to come he should perhaps doubt whether it would be fit for him to be there alone as out of a kind of Singularity condemning the others absence by his Presence The Venetian desired time for consideration and resolution it being a Novelty and a lessening to him he said of the honour affoarded to his predecessour but in the meane time he prevayled so by his reasons how heavily it might follow him in the Judgement and censure of his Republick when he should be the first of his Predecessours that ever suffered by such an exclusion and had as yet since his imployent here never received publick honour from his Majesty c. as that the King was pleased to let him know by my Lord Chamberlain personally repairing to him under pretence of returning his visit that he should for this once have the respects of being seated next his Majesty in manner as his Predecessours had been before him and with him the States Ambassador whom also my Lord Chamberlain had then visited with the same signification but that neither he nor any other Ambassador were ever to expect the like hereafter and that to confirm and intimate the Kings resolution in this point he as also the other should do well to give account of it to his State least other of their Ministers might hereafter pretend or think to obtain the like honour with importunity and further to take notice that if the King should make another Maske at Candlemas he must be content with a place to be assigned him apart and not next the chair of State if he would be present at it with which plaine intimation he seemed to hold himselfe satisfied and the Moneday seaven night after following after Twelfday he and the States Ambassador were assigned their Rendez-vous at the great Gate of the Court at six in the Evening and with them the States Ambassadors Wife and Daughters with limitation of as few followers as might be and those of the better sort The place for their repose was the Councell-chamber whence they were conducted first the Ladies to a Box reserved for them at the upper end of the Banquetting-house on the Kings right hand and next their followers to a Scaffold over and behind his Majesty then the Ambassadors themselves to the Presence of the King in the Privy-Galleries and after with his Majesty to the Maske the Venetian was seated on the right hand the States Ambassador on the left of his Majesty I understood after that the States Ambassadors Lady and her Daughters took exceptions against their being thrust up in a corner without respects To which I answered that I had brought the Ambassatrice a liberty of election from my Lord Chamberlain whether she would be pleased to sit amongst the great Ladies or apart and she had chosen to sit apart with her own company because she said she wanted Language so the fault was hers not mine if she were unsatisfied Monsieur Rosdorfe after he had resided here foure yeares for the King of Bohemia being called home was to receive his present which was endeavoured by his freinds that it should have equalled if not that Ambassador Baron Donnows of 400 l. in Plate at least that of Monsieur Paule that had been here in the same condition as Rosdorfe without Title of Ambassador and receiving at his parting a Chaine of 300 l. and 50 l besides as an ayudu de costa But Rosdorfe having not been well relished by some particularly by the Duke of Buckingham for his harsh plainnesse had given to him a Chaine worth onely 220 l. as of equall valew upon comparison and instance made with that of the resident of the King of Spaine Monsieur Bruneau and of Monsieur Van Mall Agent of the Arch-dukes While I was at Canterbury for some domestique occasions of my own Her Catz. I received a Letter the eighth of March signifying the arrivall of a deputy from the States and of the dangerous sicknesse of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies of whose Office I was the Reversioner These two accounts and their consequence brought me the next day to London Two dayes after I received from my Lord Chamberlain this direction that I should intimate to the States Ambassador and to the deputy newly arrived that whereas they had desired an accesse to the Duke of Buckingham for an enterance to their businesse in hand and that my Lord Duke
Ambassador know as much who expecting answerable to my promise That I should a day or two before the Feast assigne him the time and way of his comming to Court I in the interim by my Officer sounded the disposition of the States Ambassador and Deputy for their sight of it also which I did the more covertly because the Venetian seemed to affect his being alone at the Feast and that the other unless they should of themselves request it might be absent for what cause I could not conceive unless for his own more conspicuous note when finding them also desirous to see the solemnity I rendred the account hereof to his Majesty and after to the Venetian that he might not be ignorant of his company which he readily allowed of but when my Officer had cast out a word as I had given him in charge tentandi gratia upon some doubt I had of a Puntillio that the Denmarke Ambassador finding the windes blow so stiffely against his departure would be there also he started at it and whereas before he had given his full resolution that he would not faile to be at the Court gate about nine of the clock before noone as I had assigned him he added that he could not tell in what disposition of health he might be that day so if he came not at the houre appointed I should no longer expect him From this change of his resolution to an uncertainty I presumed he would faile and so found it when on the day and somewhat before the houre he sent his Secretary to me with a Complement to be delivered by my Lord Chamberlaine to his Majesty that the night before having had a Fit of an Ague and doubting the effect of the cold Aire so soon upon it he should not dare to venture so soone abroad to have the honour of his Majesties sight at that great Feast but he hoped that the next year he should have that happiness c. From what reason this Puntillio grew was unknown I was told after by one of the Venetians Followers That he was absent aâ— affecting Precedence of the King of Denmarks In Ambassador regard this gives it to the Ambassador of the Electors and the Venetian doth not but guessed at to be a pretence of precedence that the State of Venice might perhaps have as Kings of Cypres and Candy though by the Turks dispossessed of the former and under that title to pretend precedence of the King of Denmarke as an Elective King wheâ—eas they held themselves Kings of Cypress by inheritance hut what reason the Ambassador of Venice Landi had at the Prince his first exercise of his Armes at Tylt Anno 1619. to yeeld the hand to the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Baron of Donnow The Venetian Ambassador was of opinion when I I first discoursed with him about the accustomed manner of the Ambassadors seeing the Feast and presenting themselves to the King at his Dinner that he was to performe it alone without company of the States Ambassadors and of the same mind was the Ambassador of Denmarke for himselfe and this course approved of by my Lord Chamberlaine but when during the Kings Dinner they attended the instant for discharge of that Complement in the Conncell Chamber and that the States Ambassador Joachimi had described them the manner of his march together with the French Ambassador at a Feast two or three years before when he was imployed a Commissioner hither The Ambassador of Denmarke refused not to assist and make one worke of it which they did viz. The Ambassador of Denmarke Joachimi and Mousieur Cattz with my conduct in the time of second course as the King himselfe had ordered it upon my Proposition first the first and next the other two complying in their order at the Kings left hand as they altogether entred that way and at that side of the Table and after passing down along before the Knights of the Order with their respects bestowed personally on each Knight as they deemed fitting and by the way they entred returning I had received them at their repaire to Court one after the other as I had first designed with the Venetian Ambassador at the Court gate whether also and no further I went to receive him of Donmarke because he came upon his own invitation and not the Kings and had intended not to come had not the cross windes taken away his liberty of departure From the Gate I brought them to the Kings Chappell for sight of the Ceremony there having also appointed the Queens Closet in the Chappell for the States Ambassador in case the Venetian had come but in his absence I made use of it for the others followers Thence at the beginning of the Provision I conducted them cross the lower end of the Guard Chamber to the Terras where in the first corner next the door on the right hand I had caused a Scaffold to be raised and carpet to be spred on the wall before and on the rayles behinde them where they might have sight of his Majesty and the Knights in their procession That finished we returned to the Chappell and the Service ended I bestowed them for their repose in the Councell Chamber till the time should serve for the sight of his Majestie at the Feast ut supra The Ambassador of Denmarke preparing dayly for his departure retarded onely by the want of 10000 l. sterling to be paid him for his Master to whom his Majesty was debter of a far greater somm some about him toucht upon the custome here of the Kings presenting his Secretary with a Chaine of Gold which though I pretended and alleadged from example and for reasons brought against the Transilvanian Ambassador might be denyed him I made way for it notwithstanding by my Lord Chamberlains favour which after his Lordships question whether I could produce a president for it and my answer that if there were none it would not be amiss I said in my opinion that one might be dispenced with for a Secretary of a Representant of a King so neere in blood to his Majesty and to whom he stood so much ingaged for supplies of money c. it was assented to and a chaine of an 100. markes valew presented to one Mr Calendrine a Gentleman that having followed and served him all the time of his abode here and now at his return in place of his Secretary then absent was thought by the Ambassador fittest of any about him to be under that Title so rewarded All occasion of longer stay being removed and the time of the Ambassadors departure being designed as by his letter he let me know for the third of May I warned the Kings coach to be ready to carry him to Tower-wharffe and his Majesties Barge with two other for his baggage and Servants to Gravesend so that day I accompanied him thither took leave there of him and the next day returned to London Towards the time of his departure
the Queene kissed her hand saluted the Prince and turning to the Princesse who was observed till then not to cast the least looke towards him he stooped to touch the lowest part of her Garment when with her hand staying his he received a kisse from her Highnesse and soon after they all retyred to the privy Lodgings The next day he spent in visiting the King Queene Prince and Duke of Yorke and twice the Princesse once in the afternoone at her owne Lodging in State and once after Supper with lesse ceremony His Traine consisted of a number not so great as Gallant most of them being much better fashioned and better cloathed then Germany usually sends them forth There were of them eight Counts besides Count Henry of Nassaw about six and thirty Gentlemen and of the rest about an hundred and fifty The place appointed for his most usuall abode was Essex House neer Temple Barr but he had other Lodgings assigned him for his owne Person as he should have occasion to use them for his owne private retraite at White Hall with the King and with the Prince 〈◊〉 Saint Jameses The thirteenth of February following I was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Suffolke from his Majesty to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador Monsiuer de Boiscot with this formall invitation to the Marriage of the Princesse That his Majesty who desireth to perform all things with conveniency having invited the French Ambassador and the Venetian to assist at the first dayes solemnity requested him to honour the second or third dayes either Dinner or Supper or both with his presence After some time of pause his first question was with a troubled countenance whether the Spanish Ambassador were invited I answered answerable to my Instructions in case of such demand that hee was sick and could not be there he was yesterday quoth he so well as that the offer might have very well been made him and perhaps accepted To this I replyed That his Majestie having observed that the French and Venetian Ambassadors holding between them one course of correspondence and the Spanish and Arch-Dukes another their Invitations had been usually joynt This he denyed saying The French had been fun dry times invited to Masques c. and not the Venetian the Venetian and not the French the Spaniard the like but He the Arch-Dukes Ambassador never That for his owne particular person as hee was Boiscot he should think himselfe honoured to be called by his Majesty upon any termes were it to serve up a Dish to the Princesses Table but as he was the Representant of so great a Prince as the Arch-Dukes one who would never allow he sayd so much as a question or thought of Competition betweene him a Monarchall Soveraigne and a meane Republique governed by a sort of Burghers who had but an handfull of Territory in comparison of his Master and as would be averred he sayd by ancient proofes had ever yeilded precedence to the Arch-Dukes Predecessors when they were but Dukes of Burgundie hee could not be present at that Solemnity That further hee knew not wherein he had deserved so ill of his Majesty as not to have received from him any countenance or favour in all the time of his residing here and the Venetian as he himselfe had bragged many that for these and the like considerations he would never be received to a second place or day after one that should have the first bestowed on him so unworthily In conclusion he desired That though this was and should be his peremptory answer I would from him request the Lord Chamberlaine that that might be allowed him for consideration and that the next morning he would by his owne Servant send his more direct resolution which he accordingly did in writing seene to few more then to his Majesty and the Lord Chamberlaine to the former purpose thus That he had ever yet had the honour to have been invited by his Majesty that the Invitation hee now had was in a second place to one who was farr from all colour of reason to precede him that his Majesty had herein expressed his affection that he was sorry he could not be there c. This written signification redemanded and taken back after it was read by his Servant having beene made the Saturday the Sundayes and Mundayes feasting jollity and gallantry stilld all further noyse of it till on Tuesday I was commanded to carry him a written Declaration in French as followeth SA Majesté 's estant apperceūe que l'Ambassadeur des serenissimes Archiducs á pris ombrage de ce qu'il n'auoit esté conuié auz solemnitez de Madame Fille vnique de sa Majestè et du tres illustre Prince l'Electeur Palatin au Dimenche jour de noces l'ayant este l'Ambassadeur de la serenissime Republique de Venice conuié pour ce jour lá á trouué bon que le dit sieur Ambassadeur et les Princes auxquels il sert entendissent qu'en cela sa Majesté n'a voulu rien faire qui fist preiudice aux pretensions de l'un ou de l'autre de leur Princes ou Estats comm ' en toutes procedures depuis son aduenement a ceste couronne il'à decliné se porter Juge de leur competition en cest ' endroit ains de laisser un chacun entier en ce que luy appartient traictant tous en general comme ses Amis Or quant an fait present touchant l'Ambassadeur de Venise sa Majesté fait scauoir an dit Ambassadeur des Archiducs qu'ayant le dit Ambassadeur de Venise quatorze où quinze jours auant le iour des Noces fait entendre a sa Majesté qu'il auoit ordre de par la dicte Republique de congratuler aux dictes Noces qu' il desiroit faire cest ' office le jour mesme d'icelles d'autant que pour donner meilleure grace et manifestation plus ouuerte que porte la dicte Republique a sa Majesté on luy auoit ordonné frayspour la pompe et liuréesases gens aux despens publics honneur que sa Majesté n'anoit receu de nul autre Prince et qui est bien extraordinarie et plus de constume entre les Princes sa Majesté auoit toute raison de rendre a la dicte Republique la pareille de l'honneur qui par demonstration si signalée elle luy fairoit Ajouste aussy ne que s'j trouuant l'Ambassadeur d'Espagne en estat de l'assister le dit premier iour et estant incertain a sa Majesté s' il ne s' y pouuoit trouuer quelque autre iour des solemnitez sa Majesté trouuiot bon selon sa coustume de ioindre le dit Ambassadeur de Venise a celuy du Roy tres-Chrestien qui auoit esté conuié pour le mesme jour selon la fason que sa Majesté á tousjours tenue d'accouplir les Ambassadeurs de France de
Servants kept them company Don Antonio fitting on a stoole at the end of the Table gave subject of exception to one of the Kings Gentlemen ushers as being he said irregular and unusuall that place being ever wont to be reserved empty for State but this as a superstition of a Gentleman ushers was neglected After his Majesties dinner the Ambassador introduced by the Vice Chamberlain to the Presence of his Majesty in the Privy Gallery had there his Audience Sir John Digby and as he was parting the Lord Lysle Ghamberlain to the Queen asked me and I the Ambassador whether he had any intention to visite her Majesty he answered he thought it ill manners and a kind of disrespect at so short a warning to venture the trouble of her Majesty November the first Towards the time of Solemnity of Prince Charles his Creation for Prince of Wales the King advised with some of his Lords which of the Ambassadors French or Spanish were first to be invited to it The Spaniard had by a private and silent way offered himselfe to an Invitation The French had been earnestly pressed for by some Lords his favourous neere about the King And had he but two dayes before when he had an Audience of his Majesty made offer of his presence at the Feast his Majesty had perhaps been put to some plunge how to have excused it But on Sunday night the Eve of the Feast a resolution to invite neither was taken and I sent to the Spanish Ambassador with this Message that his Majesty thankt him much for the offer he had made to honour the Prince his Creation with his presence that some of his Majesties Servants neere him had earnestly solicited him to invite the French Ambassador but his desire having been as it should be ever to give content to all Ministers of Forren Princes he hoped and requested that he would not take it in ill part if he should not be at all invited no more then the French Ambassador should be to that Solemnity assuring him that to the next whensoever he should be invited before any The Ambassador returned him for answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties hands and desired he would in all proceed with him as with an English man and his Servant that whensoever it should be his pleasure to do him the honour to invite him it should be his happinesse and an especiall contentment to him So againe when his Majesty should think fit he should be absent it should content him also as being his Majesties pleasure to have it so At my parting he was earnest to know whether there were not the like message and excuse sent to the French Ambassador whereof though had it been so it had been neither reason nor duty for me to discover when I assured him there was none he expressed much the greater Satisfaction About this time Cavalvere Guaratesi Agent here for the Duke of Florence being assigned an Audience of his Majesty was by mistake brought in by whom I know not by the way of the Parke and privy Gallerie and had a fire made him in the Chamber of the Ambassadors Ordinary Audience Sir Lewes Lewkner at the same time told me of him and wisht me to go to receive him but neither was that Service to be performed by me to the Person of an Agent and therefore by me declined neither was any Agent to be admitted to that place by that way but by the way of the privy Chamber November the first 1617. The Ordinary Ambassador of Venice Seignior _____ Barbarigo dying here Seignior _____ Contareni came hither Extraordinary and was brought to his first Audience at White-Hall by the Lord Clifford accompanied with halfe a score Gentlemen his Majesties Servants in his Majesties Coâ—ch and three of the Lords Coaches His house was at the Hospitall where he had attending our coming the French Ambassaâ—ors Coach the Masters of the Ceremonies who had dined with him and five or six of the Ambassadors owne and others providing After his rest in the Councell Chamber he was conducted to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber and there after a breife speech Nota. and delivery of his letters of credence which before he had made an end of speaking he took not from the Secretary who held them in his hand he returned to his home in company of the Persons mentioned An Ambassador with his assistant Commissioner Chancellour of Museovey sent from that Emperour to his Majesty was the fifth of November 1617. received at Tower Wharfe by the Lord Compton having been first met at Gravesend by Sir Richard Smith and others sent in name of the City and brought up in their Barges The Kings Coach and five or six others tooke them in at Tower Wharfe but with such disorder of Gentlemen come from Court more then were appointed that too soone pressed into them as without my care and boldnes to displace some must of the better sort of Musfes have walked on foote to their Lodgings They were wellcomd at their Landing with a volley of great Ordinance from the Tower and shippes and were incountered on Tower Hill by the Aldermen of the City in their Scarlet Gownes and other Citizens in their Velvet Coates and Chaines of Gold all on Horse-back and thence conducted to their House in Bishopsgate-street where they were Lodged and defrayed at the charge of the Muscovey Company On Saturday the eight of November the Lord Chamberlain let me know his Majesties pleasure for my repaire to the French Ambassador with an assignation for his demanded Audience the next day at one of the Clock and with an excuse of unfitnesse of the houre in regard the King intended to depart that day betimes to Theobalds He came according to appointment and being introduced to his Majesties Presence I with demand of Pardon left him and taking with me the Kings Coach which together with the Lord Chamberlains attended that Service at the Court gate went without any Lord or other to accompany me to Bishopsgate-Street to setch thence the Muscovit Ambassadors to their Audience All their Servants of less esteem marched all the way on foot before him the rest in Coaches provided by the Merchants each of those on foot carrying before them with ostentation to open view some parcell of the various Present sent to his Majestie from the Emperour This consisted of Sable Furres black Foxes Ermynes Hawkes with their Hoods and Mantles covering their backs and wings all enbroydered with Gold and Pearle two lining Sables a Persian dagger and knife set with Stones and Pearles two rich Cloath of Gold Persian Horse-clothes a Persian kettle Drum to lure Hawkes with c. Besides many other Sables and black Fox furres sent the King from three of the principall Nobles of the Emperors Court and besides some presented to his Majesty from the Ambassadors and the Chancellour The Queene and Prince had likewise their severall presents of furrs from all
He was conducted without stay any where to the Presence Chamber where his Majesty was already come forth to receive him Having delivered his letters of credence he made an Oration to the purpose of the Kings Princely Office of mediation for Peace between the King of Denmark and Sweden of almost an houre long Which finished and breifely answered by his Majesty in the same Language the Ambassador turned to the Prince and beginning to him another formall speech the King left him so did the Ambassadors after a while the Prince and returned to his Lodgings This was on Thursday The Saturday following about ten of the clock at night came to my Lodging one of the Pages of the Bedd-Chamber to tell me from his Majesty that his pleasure was I should invite the Ambassador to dine with him the next day which I performed in the morning and had his Majesties Coach no more attending at the Court gate about Noone when the King having ordered that a Noble man should fetch him from his Lodging it was held by others needlesse and except at his first Audience now past and at his last I onely might serve the turne for his conduction which was allowed of and I with Sir James Spence onely brought him through the Presence into the withdrawing Chamber where the King within a while entering he took him with him to dinner in the Presence Chamber About the midst of the Table as accustomed sate the King at his left hand the Prince and at the Tables end beneath the Ambassador who had for his Carver none but the Princes and for his cup one of his own Gentlemen Before dinner a question grew which was diversly argued according to opinions whether the Prince were to fit covered at dinner or no in Presence of his Father seeing the Ambassador as a Kings representant was not to sit uncovered Some affirmed they had seene the Prince sit bare headed when an Ambassador had his hat on others otherwise But the King cleared all when after I had given him an hint of the question and that himselfe had sate a while uncovered he put on and willed the like to be done by the Prince and the Ambassador The Ambassadors Gentlemen had no Table appointed for them by the Kings expresse order because he said the young Prince of Anhaults Gentlemen who had been with him the weeke before had none though the reason might not seem to serve for one as for the other the different qualities of their Masters considered but were sent two or three of the cheife of them to the Table of the Groome of the Stoole the Lord Fenton the rest dined after with the Princes Waiters When dinner was done the King retyred himselfe and left the Ambassadors there in the withdrawing Chamber to attend there his returne which was an houre after and then holding with him a private conference his Servants were after admitted into the roome with whom I entring his Majesty drew out my Sword and knighted with it the Ambassador From thence the Ambassador went by assignation from the Prince who would save him he said his offered paines of going to his Inn and returning streight to his Highnesse Lodgings and after a short Audience tooke his leave His Majesty by the mediation of Sir James Spence was pleased besides giving him a Patent for confirmation of his Knight-hood to add a marke of honour to his Coate of Armes The next day we left New-Market dined at Cambridge saw the best Colledges there lay the first night at Newport neare Audley end which rare Building of the Earle of Suffolks the Ambassador also saw lodgd the next night at Waltham and after ten dayes absence were againe at London There after the Ambassador had rested a day or two he demanded Audience of the Queene but her Majesty refused to give it without other reason or excuse then that the King his Master had not written to her and why should she then she said see his Servant Towards the day of his parting the King being then returned to London and he having already taken leave of his Majesty at New-Market it was held by some of the Lords that his Majesty neede send him no present his businesse they said little concerning us here and his Master a remote Prince of little or of no necessary correspondence with us Besides he was sent hither with that Kings interest onely as with a demand of aid against the King of Poland and to solicite his Majesties mediation for freindship between him and the King of Denmarke and sinally to thank his Majesty for the good and beneficiall Office he had done the King and State of Swethland in composing by his Ambassador the bloody differences between them and the Russians with other the like reasons too frugally perhaps alleadged for sparing of a Present But I intimating to my Lord Chamberlain that seeing he had not been here defrayed by his Maâ—esty further then by his Coaches and Carriages had been otherwise well looked on and graced by his Majesty had fairely carried the businesse he came for of expressing of thankefullnesse and was the first Ambassador that ever came from that King since his coming to the Crown of Swethen His Lordship moved his Majesty in it and so prevailed as that he sent him by me a Diamond Ring and his picture inclosed in it worth about 2000 l. sent to him I said when I presented it as a private Toaken without publique Ceremonie to be worne by him not for the value but for the senders memory A day or two after he departed without any attendance or convoy of Barges or Coaches to Gravesend and there tooke Shiâ—ping I moved my Lord Chamberlain for the Ambassadors use of the Kings Barge to Gravesend but his Lordship answered me he knew of no such custome and could therefore give no such directions But his Lordship was herein mistaken both for the extent of his owne power and the Ambassadors right the custome having ever been for the Lord Chamberlain to command and for Ambassadors especially extraordinaries to use his Majesties Barges to and from Gravesend as at their coming so at their parting January 5 1617. My Lord Chamberlain acquainting me with the pleasure of his Maâ—esty for an Invitation already in charge to Sir Thomas Smith cheife of the Muscovey company to be delivered to the Ambassador and Commissioner of that Emperour for their dining the next day with his Maâ—esty his Lordship added that he had given order to the Jewell house for a faire guilt cup to be provided which when his Maâ—esty had drunke in to the Ambassador it was upon his pledge after the custome of that Country to be left to him as a present of the Kings favour whereupon I was bold to demand of his Lordship how he thought it would be apprehended if the Chancellor his Collegue should not receive the like honour this moved his Lordship to send to the Merchants for their opinion which brought forth
a quarter were expired for which demanding an Audience the 16 of March and having it granted or the next day he after two hours attendance had it of his Majesty in the Privie Gallery and within few dayes after departed the Kingdome The ill understanding between his Majestie and this Ambassador was an occasion that Master Secretary Lake sent for me and acquainted me with the trouble his Majestie had put himself to to make apparent the little reason the French Ambassador had to except so against his proceeding which to justifie his pleasure was he said that Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and Sir William Button and I Assistants should search our Notes and presidents to the purpose of the Question Whereabout I presently imployed my self and sent my Collection answerable to the time of my Service and of my experience to Sir Thomas Lake then with the King at Newmarket but all to little purpose for his Majesties satisfaction beyond that he was resolved on for the Spanish Ambassador In March 1617. The Earle of Montgomery Gentleman of his Majesties Bedchamber was pleased to intreat my Service and company with him to the Venetian Ambassador Seig. Contereni his Lordship being sent to him from the King with a Message in the behalfe of Captaine Manwaring which I delivered by interpretation from his Lordships mouth to this purpose His Majesty understanding what present use the State of Venice had of men for their Service and desirous to shew his affection towards them in giving them his leave to raise certain companies here for their War had taken further notice that since they were to have Land-men to be commanded by Sir Henry Peyton and Ships from hence for their Convoy to Venice he thought fit to Recommend for command and conduct of those Ships Captain Manwaring a Gentleman that he had made speciall choice of and held most fit for that Imployment and though the Ambassadormight have heard perhaps that heretofore the said Captain Manwaring had followed the not approved course of a Pirate it was in his unsettled yeares and more desperate fortune but that now his Majesty knew him to be so reclaimed as if he should himselfe have present use of such a Commander he would imploy him as soon as any other of his Subjects and would take it for an Argument of that Common Weales respects to him if they would upon his recommendation entertain him For doing which they should find him more forward hereafter to further and assist them in any the like occasion when he should see that at his request they had made use of so fit a Subject for their Service To this the Ambassador made answer that the Republique was much obliged to his Majesty for his so gracious notice and furtherance of their Assignes and in particular for recommending one to their Service whom he himselfe and the World knew to be so worthy and whom he had already recommended to that State for imployment but had as yet received no answer which dayly expecting he must beg pardon if he did yet attend it without giving his resolution My Lord replyed that the King had been informd that the Ambassador had full Commission and power to imploy whom he should be pleased and that with that liberty he might he thought admit of the Captaine The Ambassador disclaimed that he had any such liberty and said that on the contrary he had order from the State to send the Ships away without any other Commander then such as were to go along with them to governe them in regard they had a Commission with them not to offend or assaile any they should incounter at Sea but if they should be assayled then to defend themselves as they might with the power that was to go along with them In conclusion his Lordship fell to demand that since Captain Manwaring could not have the command that his Majesty thought to prefer him to whether the Ambassador would not let him assure the King as from the Ambassador himselfe and in name of the Republique that if there should be hereafter any other imployment suiting with the condition of Captain Manwaring that he should have the offer of it before any man the Ambassador assured his Lordship he might rest upon that both for the respect that the Republique he knew carryed to his Majesties Recommendation and for the merit also of the Gentleman then Recommended whom he had already as he had said by his Letters presented to the State for his valour and forwardnesse to do them service The Russian Ambassador having received an Assignation the two and twentieth of March for the next dayes repaire to an Audience of the Councell a request was made by some of the Muscovy Merchants as such that well understood their Puntillious humoursthat way that the Ambassadors might have pretending it to be the custome of their Countrey and an honour due to their Emperour a sight of his Majesty before their conference with his Councell which yeelded to I had order to fetch them with one of the Kings Coaches and the Lord Chamberlains which was for their more honour every Audience sent to them in Company of the Kings under title of his Majesties Coach taking with me one Gentleman of his Majesties Servants to accompany me for avoidance of the like exceptions as had been formerly taken by the Chancellour I brought them to the Court at two of the clock and discended at the great gate there before I entered I desired them as I had in charge not to take it in ill part if they found there never a Noble man to receive them since it was I said a Ceremony not performed towards an Ambassador of any Prince whatsoever except onely at his first and last Audience This could not hold them from murmuring and expressing with discontented Countenances their ill Satisfactions yet onward they went following my guidance as my Lord Chamberlain had given me directions up the Stone Steps through the Guard Chamber and Presence to the privy Chamber where after some little time of stay neere the State but not sitting nor having any Stooles for it offered them the Lord Chamberlain came forth and brought them into the privy Gallery where the King seated about a third part distant from the doore there towards the Councell Chamber with his chaire back to the wall on the left hand his Majesty rose up to them at which they made their profound reverences repeated in breife the substance of their errand had a gracious answer and were dismissed to rest themselves in the Stone-Table Chamber till the Councell should be assembled for them who in a short time after passing by them and onely saluting them one of the Clerkes of the Councell called to me to bring them in when comming forwards they made a suddaine stand because they saw none of the Lords to returne forth to me and introduce them till at length that respect also was by three or foure of the principall
hither from the States of the united Provinces The Prince Palatines Ambassador the Baron of Donowe at that time likewise imployed hither was seated as a domestique but not without consideration of avoyding question uppermost above all the Lords on the fourme usually placed for them 1619 The Count de Tillieurs sent to reside here Ambassador Ordinary from the French King in succession of Monsieur de Maretz though after almost an yeare and an halfes intermission of that charge came towards his first Audience of his Majesty then at Windsor the fifteenth of September and was met at Staines by the Earle of Kelley Groome of the Stoole to his Majesty sent thither to receive and conduct him the Lord North having been the Evening before appointed by the Lord Chamberlain for that service but countermanded the next morning upon maturer consideration of the fitnesse to send to meete him a person of a more eminent place and title then a Baron with the Lord Kelley went in his Majesties Coach my selfe and five Gentlemen of the privy Chamber he had Audience given him in the Presence or privy Chamber one there serving both turnes where having in a gracefull fashion made his approach with three reverences and passed a breife Complement called to his Secretary for his Letters of credence and presented them Which whilst the King was reading he turned towards the Prince then present and passed with him a short Complement which some judicious standers by censured for unseasonable having not yet finished the purpose he had in hand with the King affirming his carriage had been better onely to have bowed to the Prince after he had presented his first respects to his Majesty and not to have spoaken to the Prince till he had fully ended what he had to say to the King After his Majesty had invited him to cover he obeyed but uncovered immediatly holding his hat all the time after except one little instant in his hand that night he returned to Staines with the Lord Kellies conduct who went immediately back to Windsor and the Ambassador the next morning to London The day of the French Ambassadors Audience at Windsor came thither one of the young Dukes of Halstein cozen Germane to the deceased Queen Ann who sending for me to his Lodging desired my assistance for his private accesse to the King He having been here at another time before with his Majesty and that he might have the honour to hunt with him the next morning without further noise or trouble of Ceremony For this I repaired to the Lord Chamberlain and craving his advice and directions had for answer that in regard the Duke came privatly and desired but a private accesse he wished me to addresse my selfe to one of the Gentlemen of the Bedd-Chamber and particularly to the Marquesse of Buckingham that the King might be acquainted with his desires So speaking that night late both with his Lordship and his Majesty I had for answer that the next morning at seven of the Clock his Majesty would be glad of his sight and of his Company in hunting At the houre assigned he and I with him entring the Kings withdrawing Roome while his Majesty was booting himselfe he there received his wellcome and waiting on his Majesty to his Coach he was admitted to sit by him After taking Horse with his Majesty in the Parke he road and I with him the death of a leash of Bucks returning after in Coach with his Majesty to Windsore he went the next day to London A seavennight after his Excellency had my company to his Majesty at Wansted and that night back to London The Count Guido Son to the Marquesse de Villa or as some others stilled him de Sillana who had been here Extraordinary about six yeares before was sent hither Extraordinary from the Duke of Savoy to condole the death of Queen Ann dead halfe a yeare before when our Blacks had been already laid by by which those that he and his followers wore were made the more unsuitable He had his Audience in the Presence at White-Hall More solito brought to it by the Earle And the Sunday following was accompanied to his second and last Audience and to dine with his Majesty at Theobalds He sate with the King in the privy Chamber there at the lower end of the Table the Ordinary Ambassador Gabellione sitting at the side opposite to the King neere the end About the midst of dinner his Majesty dranke the Dukes health bare headed and standing till they both had pledged it After this the Count Guido dranke the Kings health to his Collegue having first demanded leave for it of his Majesty Three or four men of Tille as Count Tispoti and _____ which to do him honour had accompanied him hither dined in the Councell Chamber accompanied by the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Leicester Sir Thomas Edmonds Treasurer of his Majesties Household and other Gentlemen The Baron of Denow eimployed to his Majestie from the Prince Palatine soone after the Crown and title of King of Bohemia was conferred on him by the Election of those States had had after his Arrivall here two or three private Audiences without publique notice or stile of King given him by his Majesty He was afterwards appointed to follow the King to Newmarket whither he came the 27. of January with no other company or attendance but Master Williams Agent here for the affaires of that King or rather for the Queen our Kings only Sister and his own few followers Sir Lewes then remaining at London and expecting the Arrivall of a Spanish Ambassador Don Diego Sarmiento new made Conde de Gondemar some occasions at the same time having drawn me to Newmarket I received there the Lord Chamberlaines Command to do the Ambassador the service of my place so I waited on him to his first Audience there the thirtieth of January when my Lord Marquess of Buckingham the Earl of Montgomery the Lords Viscounts of Purbeck and Doncaster the Lord Gray and divers others of his Majesties better sort of Servants did him the honour on foot to come to his Inn his Majesties Coach walking by accompany him thence on foot to the Court where his Majestie receiving him in the withdrawing Chamber rook him instantly with him into his Inner Lodgings whence after an hour and an halfes conference he was reconducted by all the Lords mentioned on foot as before to his Lodging From that time he had his accesses to Court and to his Majesties Presence as a Domestique without Ceremony and this by the Kings own Signification of his Pleasure to me to that purpose From Newmerket he went along with his Majesty to Royston Theobalds London and with my continuall Attendance Towards the end of February Monfieur Reuinch Hauson Ambassador from the Princes of the Union of Germany came to the King at Theobalds conducted thither by Sir Lewes Lewkner only at his own particular request for avoidance of noyse and
the Ambassadrice or by chance I know not sate beneath two or three Ladies that she in right of ranck should have preceded After Supper they had the entertainment of a Maske presented by nine young Gentlemen whereof the Lord Montjoy and a Son of the Lord Hollis were two c. The Ambassador having remained here about fifteen dayes took leave of his Majesty at White-Hall and was presented with a Chayn of Diamonds being an old Jewell of the Crowne of 300 l. valew which because it was not Plate the King and Councell having upon the sight of so much equivalent to that sum judged it not fit to deprive the Kingdome of it was not brought to the Ambassador by the Master of the Jewell House Sir Henry Mildmay but by the Master of the Ceremonies The Ambassador having been defrayed for his Dyet Lodging and Coaches at the rate as was said of 200 l. per diem went to Gravesend the _____ of January himselfe and some few by Land the rest by water attended thence by Sir Lewes Lewkner onely to his imbarquing at Dover When it was thought that the Spanish Ambassador would have held it an indignity and wrong to his Master to be present at a Maske seen before by a French Ambassador as the last and the same Maske had been by the Mareshall de Cadenet at Twelftide he appeared at it on Shrove-Sunday seated at the left hand of his Majesty under the State different from what had been formerly resolved on that no Ambassador in regard of their troublesome Puntillious should any more sit so with his Majesty and had his family placed over a Box at the Kings right hand in which were placed the Spanish Ambassadors two Sons together with the Arch-Dutchess Agent In January Arrived at Gravesend six Commissioners from the States of the United Provinces viz. Messieurs de Senthusen Carmelin Soneh Bruyning Schot and de Vervow and the Secretary of their Commission Captain Huggins they were Lodged in Lumbarstreet and had their first Audience in the Privy Galleries at White-Hall As being but Deputies which had been enough for Ambassadors fetcht to it by the Lord Clifford and divers Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in above twenty Coaches Parted from his Majesty they went with the same attendance to the Prince at St. Jameses where before their entrance to his Presence they were too late a ware of a Solecisme they had committed in having delivered the Princess Letters to the King as they had done the Kings Letters yet remaining in their hands to the Prince had they not suddainly cast an eye upon them for which they had no evasion but to make by the Master of the Ceremonies mouth an excuse of then Secretaries mistaking in the obscure light one Letter for another For Shrove-Tuesday following I carried them from the King an Invitation to a Maske of the Gentlemen of the Middle-Temple to be represented in the Hall of the Court whether I was appointed to conduct them in one of the Kings Coaches with order to be in the new Councell Chamber on the deceased Queens side which had been her Privy Chamber at seaven of the Clock without preparation other then of Bread and Wine for Collation I bestowed their followers on a Scaffold on the Kings right hand and in a Box under purposely reserved from them themselves together with Sir Noell Caron the Ambassador The Maske ended I brought them by direction to the King whom they had not yet at that time seen whence following his Majesty without his notice yet taken of them till they came to the Guard Chamber he there saluted them and had their attendance to the Banquet there and after in the Privy Gallery gave them all the good night The twentieth of January I had the Command of the Lord Chamberlain to introduce the six mentioned Commissioners to an Audience of the Councell and bring them for their repose to the old Councell Chamber where they attended the Lords leasure then much busied about the Exceptions taken by some Lords and other of our Nobility against the Creation and precedence given to certain Scotish and Irish Viscounts before English Barons c. The fift of March I received a Command and directions from the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Ceremonies being then sick to go to Dover and receive there at his Landing an Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland his name and Title Osalinskie Count Palatine of Sindomerskie Hereupon order was given for my receipt of 50 l. imprest out of the Exchequer which in regard of the pressing hast pretended of the Service that would not admit the leasure of procuring a Privy Seale for it was by vertue of a Warrant from the Lord Treasurer Mountague and the Controwler of the Exchequer Sir Fulke Grevell Lord Brooke paid to me the next morning but in the mean time the Master of the Ceremonies having been first sent to by my Lord Chamberlain to speake with him and excusing his coming by his sicknesse supposing his imployment should have been no other then to attend the Spanish Ambassador at that time assigned an Audience was upon better notice and consideration of the businesses with the likelyhood of the benefit to accrew from it resolved to discharge it himselfe and to that purpose went to my Lord Chamberlain about it But I already imbarked in it and repairing to my Lord so maintained mine interest of Primer Seazine as his Lordship needed not perswasion to permit me to preceede as I did the next Morning with one of his Majesties Coaches and three other hired by me to be defrayed by his Majesty The eighteenth of March I came to Dover whence Capt. Buck an old Capt. a Scotish man that came in my Company from London and in the Ambassadors out of Poland went according to the Ambassadors Assignation to meet him at Callayes but the Ambassadors Journey retarded by the illness of the weather and wayes between Amsterdam and Antwerp and at Brussels where he stayed also ten dayes was a cause of the Captains fruitless stay at Callayes and of mine also and the Coaches at Dover cleaven dayes at the end whereof a Post sent from the Post-Master at Gravesend brought me word at Mid-night how the Ambassador was Landed there from Flushing These newes carried me instantly post thither and brought me in seaven hours to his sight and reception there from his Majesty before his rising Towards the Evening Sir Lewes Lewkner sent by the King and the Lord Chamberlain as supposing I could not obtaine time enough to the knowledge of his Landing came thither in Company of Sir Robert Steward and divers other Gentlemen to wellcome him from his Majesty The next Morning the Kings and three other Barges being sent down for his Transport to London we all went thither ranged by Sir Lewes Lewkner for avoydance of confusion at our imbarking the Ambassador and his cozen with eight Knights and two Gentlemen in the Kings Barge his chiefe Gentlemen and
Pages in the Lord Chamberlaines and in the two other the rest He was received at Tower-Wharrfe by the Earle of Warwick accompanied with the Lord Cromwell and sundry of his Majesties Servants And in the Kings and seven or eight Coaches was conducted to his Lodging in Crutchet Fryers ordained for him and defrayed as was also his diet at a certaine rate agreed upon per diem without attendance of any of the Kings Servants His landing at Gravesend and his so speedy repaire to London was a cause that the Lord mentioned met him no sooner The next day being Sunday and his Majesty desirous for three or four dayes to leave the Town his Publike Audience was assigned and given him at White-Hall with the Conduct of the Earle of Essex and the like number of Gentlemen and Coaches as before where in the Presence there he presented Letters with a long Elegant Oration in Latine to his Majesty The Tuesday following he was accompanied to his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses by the Lord Danvers the Master of the Ceremonies and my selfe with other Gentlemen The 24. of March the day of the Kings comming to the Crowne having been invited to a Tylting of the Prince and other Knights he was fetcht thither in the Kings Coach by Sir Lewes Lewkner but before he came the French Venetian and Savoy Ambassadors were seated in their and his appointed stand hung and covered with Tapistrie over the Gate or Porters Lodge entring into the Tiltyard on the right hand of his Majestie These three other I was sent for to conduct from where they all dined together at the French Ambassadors Sir Edward Sackvill having been appointed to conduct the Venetian but he was parted from home before Sir Edward came thither The French Ambassador at his entrance into the Stand casting his Eyes about him and asking which was the better place that on the right hand as of Custome or the other on the left as of Respect and nearest to the King The Venetian Ambassador forwardest with his Answer said where ever the French Kings Ambassador sits there will be the best place To which the French Ambassador making no reply This may resolve which is the upper end of a Table in the midst of a roome when the best man sits at the end of it though the placing of the Chimney may perhaps and doth sometimes as here in England alter it but sitting down uppermost on the left hand from the Kings right the other two sate by him in their Order till the Polonian comming they made him roome to take as he did the second place The Tylting ended and not before they had all of them a Salutation given them by the King from the place where he sate so parted without further Ceremony then with my recommendation The six Commissioners of the States and the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron with the Secretary of their Commission were conducted by Sir Edward Cceill to the Chamber next the Gate at the lower end of the Tyltyard and there with his company saw the Tylting These Commissioners about the beginning of Aprill demanded a finall Audience and dispatch from his Majesty and had for Answer that the Sunday following his Majesty was pleased they should dine with him and then take their leaves but soone after a disinvitation was brought by the Lord Kelley with this excuse That his Majesty having since received the news of the King of Spaines death and intending that day as the most fit to assume his habite of mourning supposing that this and Feasting would not accord so if they would be pleased to stay their Journey till the time of mourning should be expired which would be at Saint Georges Day about a fortnight after they should have a day assigned them for the honour of eating with his Majesty In the mean time their demanded Audience should be given them on Sunday in the afternoon which accepted of and the other excused with the reason of their pressing haste to be at home they came then to Court in his Majesties Coach perhaps too high for their qualification of Deputies as by the place of their last Audience they might seeme to be taken for no more introduced by the Earle of Kelley to his Majesties presence in the Chamber of private Audiences there took their leaves and received all sixe of them the Order of Knight-hood Upon which grew a question from some of the Kings Servants interessed concerning payment of their fees accounting from each of them to receive forty foure pound sixteen shillings these being demanded by one Mr. Agher their Collectour and at the first not refused by them to be paid the next day when they came to take their leaves of the Lord Chamberlain a doubt being made of the duenesse of their payment in regard they were publique Ministers and a resolution asked of his Lordship he absolutely affirmed to their Secretary there present that it was unfit they should pay any Fees and that if they were againe demanded they should use his name for their discharge of payment yet notwithstanding this Signification from his Lordship the Collector ceased not to solicite in the name of the Gentlemen Ushers and others protesting against the Lord Chamberlains power to give away or withhold their rights till finally at their departure April 14. they left behind them this Order upon the importunity of the Collector and my interposition that if his Majesty should be pleased himselfe to say to the Lord Chamberlain or to the Officer that challenged the Fees that they should not be paid they had no reason to loose the honour of his Majesties free favour but if otherwise his Majesty should say they ought to be paid that the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron should ingage himselfe as he did to me the same day by his promise for their payment I understood after from my Lord Chamberlain that his Majesty signified his pleasure to him From that time to the yeare 1635 none such have paid that those Fees should not be paid as being not properly to be exacted from Ministers of Forren Princes or such as should have any Ordinary relation to them The Commissioners went hence the fourteenth of Aprill to their Shipping at Gravesend in one of his Majesties Barges and were followed the next day in an other by the Baron of Donow Ambassador for the King of Bohemia he also having about the same time had his dismission and that day mine and some other Gentlemens company to their imbarking before Tilbury The States Commissioners were presented as I was informed with 3000 ounces of gilt Plate equally divided amongst them and their Secretary Constantine Huggins with a Chayne of Gold 45 l. valew The King of Bohemias Ambassador had assigned him for his present 1160 ounces of guilt Plate but this being not then presented but with assurance to be sent after him he two or three years after returned hither to recover it and did
by the way and with the conduction mentioned The night following was represented a Maske Acted the Christmas before by the Prince c. At which were present seated with his Majesty the Spanish Ambassadors Don Carlos de Coloma and the Count de Gondemar though this had taken his leave three or four dayes before his Son and other their Followers of quality had their feates neere the King in a Scaffold on his right hand the rest of them were bestowed together with the States and other strangers promiscuously on a Scaffold behind the King over the entrance there on the left hand of his Majesty The young Landsgrave of Hess was brought in by me the back way through the Garden and supping with the Duke of Lenox as did also the Baron of Paperhezin remaining here after the departure of the Emperours Ambassador was seated amongst the great Ladies The French Ambassador Monsieur de Tillier receiving a kind of Invitation by way of offer to be present at this Maske returned answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties handes for the honour intended him but his stomach would not he said agree with cold meat and desired therefore his absence might be pardoned here by pointing at the Invitation and presence of the Spanish Ambassador in the first place at the same Maske the Christmas before now repeated May the two and twentieth was the day assigned for Sr. Georges Solemnity deferred till then The day before my Lord Chamberlain sent me to Sir Noell Caron to let him know and the rest of the States Commissioners Mess d'Arsen Bass and Stavenets that his Majesty would be pleased with their Presence at the provision and solemne service of that day and that to that purpose they should have their standings for sight of the first in a long window on the left hand almost over the Gate and of the latter in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side the Spanish Ambassador Don Carlos de Coloma being to possess that of the Kings side I delivered this Message by incounter to them all foure being then at the house of Sir Noell Caron neere Lambeth which they thankfully accepted onely Monsieur Stavenets asked whether there would be as much respect in the entertainment for the generall given to them as to the other Ambassador I answered I nothing doubted it but as soon as I was returned to render an account of my service to my Lord Chamberlain I found I had been up and downe sought for to be stayed my Journey but too late for when I came to his Lordship he told me if I had invited those Ambassadors to stand in the Closet of the Queens side I had exceeded my Commission because the Spanish Ambassador he said would never indure them so neere him where there was but a thin Wainscot Board between them and a Window to be opened at either of their pleasures which might be an occasion of scandall and distemper I answered I had done no otherwise then I had directions which his Lordship in part denied and I was not so unmannerly as to contest against But at last I received a new command to repaire to them with this message That there had been a misunderstanding and that the place in the Chappell for the regard mentioned of the Spaniards neerenesse to them was improper But if it would please them to be at the procession in the morning in their appointed stands and in the Evening at the divine Service and Solemnity there which would be all one with that of the Forenoon they should be wellcome This unpleasing message delivered I received for answer from the mouth of Monsieur d'Arsennes That as often as it would please his Majesty to honour them with Invitations to any of his entertainments they should esteem it for an especiall favour and gladly accept it so againe since it now seemed that their presence though they had been once invited might give distast either to his Majesty or to any other meaning the Spanish Ambassador whom he should be pleased more especially to favour they would in that also submit themselues to his pleasure and would be willingly absent but as for being present at either the procession or the Service in the Afternoone they desired since they must not be at that in the Forenoone that they might be excused if they came not all the rather because they were invited to the Earle of Exeters at Wimbleton and if they should stay the procession they doubted they should come thither unmannerly too late to Dinner and returne to Court not soone enough to Evening Solemnity With this message I returned to my Lord Chamberlain and so had the next day the free use of their places at the Procession and of the Closet at the Service for the young Landsgrave and his followers whom I conducted in the Dinner time to the Banquetting House where the Prince supplying his Fathers place his Majesty being then indisposed the Landsgrave stood at his Highnesse left hand as the Spanish Ambassador did on his right most part of the Dinner time The Ambassador of Russia being upon his departure I carried to him fifty pound from the Merchants of the Muscovy company but as sent to him from the Lords of the Councell so as the Company had directed me with this formall message That whereas different from some Ambassadors imployed from his Emperour he had desired money and nor provisions to be laid in in specie for his feeding at Sea that sum of fifty pound was sent him according to President but exceeding in proportion because whereas other Ambassadors whereof one had thirty five men his followers and the other fourscore had not had above forty pounds worth of Victualls for their whole Journey the summ now sent him was fifty pound but he seeming much unsatisfied with so small proportion and saying that Sir John Merrick Ambassador to his Emperour had had above two hundrd pound given him for the like made shew to refuse it whereupon I left him when sending his Interpreter after me downe the Stayres not as I thought to receive the money but desiring me to keep it or leave it with the Steward of the house I refuse it and saying that this was a matter of consequence inferring that either the Lords of the Councell in whose name I was to present the money did not in my Lord Ambassadors opinion understand what they had to do or that the Ambassador did do more then he ought to the dishonour of the King my Master I would have returned up to him to have taken the refusall as I said to the Interpreter it became me from the his Ambassadors own mouth but on the stairs I met one of his servants that brought order from his Master that he should as he did receive it The first of June following I repaired to him with a summons from my Lord Chamberlaine to take his leave the next day at Greenwich whether we went by land in four
Conway with the cause of my comming and the address I had from my Lord Chamberlaine to him too for my further Government so the 27. of January I was sent to Saxham with the Kings Coach only and five Gentlemen the Kings Servants and parting thence the next morning early in obedience of a Command sent Post to me thither from my Lord Duke after midnight That the King having assigned the Audience for the afternoone would have me bring the Ambassador by ten in the forenoon we came with three Coaches besides the Kings to Court where conducting him immediatly up to the Princes Privy Chamber which in absence of his Highness was purposely hung for honour to the Ambassador he was fetcht thence by the Earle of Anglesey through the Privy Chamber and the Withdrawing-Chamber where the Duke met him into the Kings Bedchamber There having made his two first respects of Approach with his Turbant on his whole habite being Persian at the third he took it off and laid it at the Kings feete and made his Speech of Entrance kneeling till the King willing him to arise and cover he did and presenting his Letters of Credence written in the Persian Language and un-understood for want of an Interpreter no where then to be found in England After this having gratious words and countenances from his Majesty he returned accompanied as he came to the Prince his Lodgings where Master Secretary Conway repairing to him intertained him an hour with discourse concerning the Propositions of his Negotiatiation which he had a little before delivered to him and the Duke in Writing and so returned to Saxham Immediatly upon this Ambassadors Arrivall at Court I acquainted the Duke with his intention to lay his Turbant at the Kings feet though he said he had kept it alwayes on in the Presence of the Emperour and the King of Spaine and thereby made way for his Majesties Allowance of his covering which was otherwise doubted would not have been permitted in regard of his naturall Subjection though in his former imployment into England when he wore his owne Countrey Habite he had been after some question about it allowed to cover in the Kings Presence From the same King The 12. of February he came to London with my attendance in company of his Sister Crofts and others met between Tottenham and Newington with six Coaches whereof one with foure Horses and hired by me at the Kings charge by my Lord Chamberlains permission for that day onely his Lordship saying he had yet no order for it from his Majesty The 14. of February having received an assignation for his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses his Highnes Coach and two Horses being commanded to be ready there at twelve of the clock I found there the Earle of Arund Son to the Lord Marquess Hamilton and Gentleman of the Prince his Bed-Chamber with six or seaven more of his Highness Servants that had received Order for his conduction to his presence We went thence to the Ambassadors Lodgings in Fleet-street and there meeting the Lord North and some Gentlemen of his Kindred we brought him to the Prince his Presence Chamber at Saint Jameses where his Hignesse standing ready to receive him the Ambassador entered performing all his reverences with his Turbant on bowing himselfe low at his second reverence and touching the ground with his right hand and then his head when come neere the Prince who stood uncovered he fell on his knee but instantly raised by his Highnesse he fell to the Complementall part and from that to the earnest of his errand which offered to the Prince's consideration in writing he retyred as he entered and returned to his home with the conduction mentioned The five and twentieth of February Mr. Secretary Conway wrote me a Letter to come to speake with me for the Kings Service which obeyed he told me the Duke of Buckingham and he had received notice of two Ambassadors landed at Gravesend from the States of the United Provinces This was when Sir Lewes Lewkner was had in Jealousie for his affection to the Spanish Ambassadors and that they had made choyce of me to be sent thither to receive them I told him after humble thanks for the honour my Lord Duke and his Honour intended me in that imployment that I must in the duty of my place receive my charges from the Lord Chamberlain and that I thought the Master of the Ceremonies had or would have the discharge of that Service committed to him He replied he thought he would rather attend the Spanish Ambassadors then the Dutch and for my Lord Chamberlaine he said he had sought him for that purpose but not finding him he desired me to acquaint him with the Dukes and his choyce of me which when I accordingly imparted to his Lordship he told me that Sir Lewes had been with him that afternoon and received his Directions to go presantly to Gravesend with the Kings Barge to bring them to London The next morning my Lord Wentworth sent me word that he was made choice of to receive them at their landing at the Tower and desired my company with other Gentlemens thither whence he conducted them being two Joynt Commissioners Monsieur d'Arsennes that had been here not long before and Monsieur Jaachimi one of the States Generall of Zealand with the attendance of half a score Coaches half a dozen of the Kings Servants and as many Commanders of the Low Countries whereof Generall Veere was one to their Lodging in Lumberstreet The Sunday following 29. of February the Lord Cavendish had order to bring them to their Audience of his Majesty with him went the Lord de la Ware and other Gentlemen whereof my self one though Sir Lewes had charge of the Service being come to the Ambassadors Lodging we found so many Coaches sent and brought thither to do them service and honour as our whole number all with four horses was thirty Having rested themselves a while in the Councell-Chamber they were introduced to the Kings Presence in his withdrawing Chamber by the back way that leads from the Councell Chamber to the Privie Galleries and not in the Presence Chamber the ordinary place of Audience for Ambassadors Extraordinary quod nota The next day having received an Assignation for an Audience of the Prince and the Lord Compton son to the Earle of Northampton being appointed to conduct him to it at Saint Jameses I went thither about one of the clock with intention only to be present at it when hearing that Sir Lewes Lewkner was not likely to be there for his service I upon request of the Lord Carew Chamberlaine to his Highness attended it accompanying the Lord Compton who had with him two of the Princes Coaches beyond Custome and two of the Lords and on the way in Cheapside meeting them the Ambassadors not expecting as they said a person of honour should be sent for them they there shifted Coaches came to Saint
Jameses and with their Coaches entered the first Court this also beyond Custome only once excepted at an Audience of the Marquess de la Inojosa and had their Audience c. The 23. of March I was sent to them to assigne them an Audience of his Majesty the next day at two in the afternoone but the King the night following taking little rest by reason of a defluction in his foote I was againe sent to them with Excuse and request from the King to spare their paines till the daye after between three or four When entering by the Parke I conducted them to the Ordinary Chamber of Attendance for Audiences and there let them know as I had directions that in regard his Majestie was not yet free from his paines and was then falne to sleep they would be pleased to go and rest themselves a while at Master Secratarie Conwayes Chamber as a place more commodious wherein to pass the uncertain time of his Majesties sleep and that at his waking the Duke would come and fetch them to his Majesty But his Grace being then with the Prince in Exercise at Saint Jameses three hours almost past before his returne to White-Hall where at length comming to them he brought them to the King by the back Stayers into his Bed-chamber whence without entring into Treaty of businesse the houre so late being unfit for it they had a quick dispatch and departed The nine and twentieth of March the two Spanish Ambassadors Inojosa and Coloma were assigned an Audience for two of the clock and the States at foure when to prevent their incounters the Spanish were introduced by Sir Lewes Lewkaer through the Parke and Privy Galleries to the King in his Withdrawing Chamber where they had a lowd and long expostulating Audience and I in the meane time as I had directions received the other Ambassadors of the States at the Court gate and conducting them to the Councell Chamber on the late Queens side they were immediatly upon the Spanish departure called to the Kings Presence in the same place and making their Entry by the other end of the Privy Galleries they had a faire Audience returning as the other did by the way of their enterance 1624 June the fourteenth having understood that the States Ambassadors were to take their leaves of his Majesty at Theobalds and that Sir Lewes Lewkner had neither received order nor intended to conduct them to it I galloped thither and found them dining with Mr. Secretary Conway After dinner I went to the Kings back Lodgings and finding there the Prince presumed to beseech his Highness to be pleased to move his Majesty for their admittance to his Presence whereupon receiving a command to bring them into the Privy Gallery over the Leaden Terras there they had a long and a favourable Audience and also the like of the Prince in his Quarter The 19. they parted thence by Land towards Margate for their imbarking there without provision of Coach or Barge or care taken for either by Sir Lewes Lewkner The little paines which I took in their Service was beyond my expectation acknowledged by them with the gratuity of a peece of Plate worth 30 l. The 21. of June the Marquess de la Inojosa after he had much imbroiled his Masters and our Kings Affaires in the Treaty of Marrriage then on foot between the Prince and the Infanta and had forged as was said certaine reports of the Duke of Buckinghams and some other Lords of Parliament secret Combynation to his Majesties prejudice and to the raysing Apprehensions in him if he would have cherrished them against the Prince his Son was upon his departure hence when demanding Accesse to take his finall leave of his Majesty he was refused it and without any present sent him or Allowance of one of the Kings Ships to convoy him or of other Coaches or carriages on the way other then of his own hiring went together with Don Carlos de Coloma his Colleague in Office not in disposition to imbarke at Dover in a Merchants Ship attended thither by Sir Lewes Lewkner not as Master of the Ceremonies and the Kings Officer but as a private Gentleman accompanying and assisting him of courtesie for prevention of Inconveniences and Affronts not unlikely in their passage to be offered that Nation by some of the inferiour sort of ours especially parting as they did in termes of disgrace and disagreement from his Majesty The French Ambassador Ordinary Count de Tilliers after almost five yeares residence here received from the King his Master an unexpected short warning for the quitting of his charge and for his speedy returne home which remove the World said was of designe carried in such hast that the Count de Tilliers might not make means for his longer stay here while he was known to be no freind to the Match then in proposition between our King and the French Kings second Sister his departure was about the end of June when an Extraordinary the Marquesse de Fiat came hither who had been formerly here in company of the Mareshall de Cadenet and at his Arrivall now at Gravesend was met by the Earle of Warwick and by me conducted to Suffolke House with no great number or lustre of followers to be there Lodged as well as defrayed not without murmur of the Earle of Suffolke forced to a corner of his own House which he could not wholly leave by reason of his lingering sicknesse then upon him Instantly upon his coming thither he sent to demand Audience of his Majesty en courser as he termed it who was then at Windsore and had it given him the very day of his comming thither being Sunday the fourth of July after he had been domestiquely entertained at Dinner by the Marquess Hamilton then Lord Steward of the Kings House-hold having been brought from London to Court by the Lord of Kensington with the company in the same coach of the Master of the Ceremonies and two or three other Gentlemen he was at the great Chamber doore received by the Lord Chamberlain and in the Presence or Privy Chamber both being come there had his Audience with much grace and countenances of Familiarity from his Majestie The Prince at his enterance stood by as a Beholder and after salutations given and returned the King inviting the Ambassador to cover he excused it as long as the Prince should stand as in his Fathers Presence uncovered till at last for these respects his Highnesse retyring he put on presented his Letters and after a good time of entertainment in severall discourses he retyred to his Lodging in the Deans House till Wednesday following and then returned to London This House though within the Castle could not be properly said to be of the Kings See after when Monfier de Chasteauneuf was here for the Peaces Ratification because the Deans though some French for their glory would have had it otherwise held The rest of that Sommer he
to it privately by water and after him the French Ambassador for a sight of the manner of his Majesty and the Lords first entrance to that great Work The Ambassadors were placed as in private behinde a Traverse on the Kings right hand which when the King began his Speech was drawn open The Venetian not to loose any of those Rights he was so jealous of and with reason upon so fresh a hazard as he had run sent to me before hand for knowledge of the course designed for the Ambassadors repaire and requested he might be admitted to the sight of it as they should be publick or private Hereat my Lord Chamberlaine made at the first some difficulty as not of Custome he said though once allowed to his Predecessor Landi adding that the French would be there as attendant Domestiques of the Queen that she had been there as was intended but was hindred by her indisposition and that no sit place could be found where he might see unseen but at last the Earle of Arundell acquainting the King with his designes I had directions to bring him by a private back way to the enterance neere the King on his left hand where in the throng he stood concealed The ninteenth of June An Ambassador from the States This was too high and irregular an Extraordinary Ambassage from the States brought Monsieur de Arsennes Monsieur de Joachimi both formerly here and Monsieur Burmania from Gravesend with Sir Lewes Lewkners conduction to Tower Wharffe where received by the Earle of Lincolne they passed on with his Lordship to their Lodging at Generall Cecils House in the Strand their imployment was chiesly to congratulate the Kings marriage The 21. of June Ratification of the Kings marriage the three French Ambassadors were by the Duke of Buckingham with attendance suiting such a Conductour fetcht from Somerset-House and brought to White-Hall by the way of the Guard Chamber Presence and Privy Chamber to the Kings Withdrawing Chamber whence with both their Majesties they entered the Banquetting House Thore their Majesties seated in their chaires of State the Queen on the right of the King the Duke de Cheuereux seated somewhat more forward on the left together with the other two French Ambassadors behind whome stood the Lord Keeper the Earles of Carliel and Holland both there imployd in France for conclusion of that matrimoniall businesse with other great Lords and next besides and behind the Queen the great Ladies and French Lords There was solemnly and distinctly read the Ratification c. After which the King joyning hands with the Queen and kissing her they all with-drew while the Room might be prepared for the Kings dinner the Queen retyring her selfe to her Quarter dined there in her own Presence Chamber the great Ladies by themselves in the Guard Chamber soone after the King with his Ambassadors came to dinner in the Banquetting House where on his left hand with the usuall distance sate the Duke and at the Boards end the two other Ambassadors A Question in the interim growing between the Officers whether the place opposite to the Duke were not the most proper for them which the Master of the Ceremonies affirmed had been the custome of one instant Treatment of three Commissioners but his assertion was not followed for the betterr convenience of the said Officers carving and sewering after Dinner the Roome cleered and cleansed their Majesties with the Ambassadors the Lords and Ladies returned and spent the rest of that Afternoon in revelling c. The Ambassador of Venice who had forborne to request or make so much as an offer to be present in publick or private of the solemne ratification of the marriage where he thought not fit perhaps to bring to question the intent of his pretended Rights of Parity con le teste Coronate was the next day introduced to an Audience of the Queen demanded by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain the Count de Tillieurs late here Ambassador Ordinary with the King and now returned a follower of the Queen After notice given me of this assigned Audience I received the Ambassador at the Court Gate conducted him through the Preaching Court along the long darke winding Entrey up to the Queenes Guard Chamber and into the Chappell Chamber next it whence after notice given by me to her Majesties Lord Chamberlain of his Presence there he passed on was received there at the Presence Chamber doore by the Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to the Queen in her Privy Chamber and thence after his congratulation returned to his Lodging without my attendance The three and twentieth of June the three Commissioners from the States had publick Audience of his Majesty conducted to it by the Earle of Warwick they passed the old Ordinary way up the great stone Staires over the Wooden Terras to the old Councell Chamber then restored to the Ancient use upon the Queens use of the other for her Presence Chamber and were called thence by the Master of the Ceremonies to proceed through the Guard Chamber where the Earle of Holland Captaine of the Guard stood ready in the midst of the Chamber his company ranged on each side of it to receive them and the Lord Chamberlain then absent to introduce them to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber Whence after dismission they turned by the way to the Chappell Chamber into the Queens Guard and Presence Chamber received there by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to their Audience into her Privy Chamber This their Access to the Queen was demanded somewhat late that day but referred therefore to the time of her own pleasure onely intimating that the King had granted them that day an Audience and requesting my Lord Chamberlain to let her Majesty know so much and with all their most humble desires of the like honour from her Majesty but with their due respects of her own best conveniency that day or another at her pleasure Soone after these Audiences Monsieur de Arsennes and Monsieur Burmania taking their leave returned home Monsieur Joachim remaining here with the charge of Ambassador Extraordinary They were at that time presented each of them with a 1000. ounces of gilt Plate The Venetian Ambassador having taken shadow at the carriage or mis-carriage of his service done at King James his Funerall was tender and jealous of every occasion that might touch his State in interest of honour for which regard having received advice from his Prince that an Ambassage Extraordinary was resolved on to be sent from Venice for condolement and congratulation in August or September following he was curious to know by my inquirie from my Lord Chamberlain what would be the manner and extent of their reception About which imploying my selfe I could get no more from his Lordship then that they should be sure of it to the full of former Presidents which he could not learne he said had been ever further off then at
scandall we were the next day at Kingston where at the furthest end of the Towne East-ward the Ambassadors House was appointed but not yet by default of some of the Kings Officers Lodgable so as returning into the Town we Lodged in Inns and elsewhere as we could on such a suddaine be provided and not without French murmurs till they were the third night after better bestowed in the quarter ordained from them This Ambassador being not yet come from Salisbury the Gentleman of his Horses and of chiefe mannage in his Affaires in observation of his Lords desire and the Kings pleasure signified to him by the Earle of Carliel that the Ambassador should have a Chamber in Court not as was mis-understood to lye in it but onely for his retrait as is before mentioned intreated the Earle of Carliel to move the King for his favour to that purpose when I had already for prevention possest his Majesty and my Lord Chamberlain that the Ambassadors intention of demand of a Lodging in Court was with the like limitation as the Earles of Carliel and Holland had had theirs in the Court of France viz. onely at time to retyre to In conclusion it was the pleasure of his Majesty and for such made known by my Lord of Carliel that expecting no cloath of State The yeomen hangers had onely began to set one up in his Chamber at Court but I instantly hindred it as not fitting wherof I gave account to the Lord Chamberlain and was applauded for it which from first to last of his stay there was not allowed him in Court though he had one as all Kings Extraordinary Ambassadors have in his private House at Kingston and having in his Chamher the allowance onely of a Gentleman and two Groomes to lye by him in Pallet he should be Lodged in Court as a particular or private Person and not otherwise for avoidance of future trouble to the King by President This obtained I sought to prevent another inconveniency by acquainting my Lord Chamberlain and Carliel with the Expectation I saw towards of having his Dyet provided in Court which would have made that publick which was intended private To prevent this I had order to fall as I did in discourse with the Gentleman of his Horses and to convey the Kings mind to him as I understood it I said from report and collection that it was intended he should have no other Dyet then what he had at Kingston by provision there from the Kings Officers and that if he would eate at Court at any time it might be at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain or elsewhere there as a private Person sending thither Monsieur de Tilliers when he would from Kingston part of his provision to have it drest in Court for increase of his Dyet at the Table of her Majesties Lord Chamberlain but this was but discourse and to little purpose while the Ambassador himselfe remained yet with the Queen at Salisbury The stay of his there longer then he at the first intended or at the least in shew pretended gave me the liberty to sisit my home then at Brocket Hall for retrait from the sicknesse till a messenger bringing me the news that the Ambassador was come to Hampton Court I the next morning returned thither and that Afternoone accompanied him with two coaches each with foure Horses appointed for his continuall Service to the sight of Nonesuch These two coaches I increased to three with two Horses to each as more usefull then one and capable of his followers for their dayly passage to and from Court to Kingston The fourteenth of November that he might take possession of the honour allowed him by his Majesty to be Lodged in Court he commaded some of his stuffe of more necessary Service to be transported thither he himselfe that Evening following it and was there Lodged in the Garden Lodgings where had been sometime quartered the Lady Elizabeth before her marriage but presuming to have his Kichin allowed him there also ut supra he was refused it for having by his Servant formerly demanded it by my Lord Chamberlain as hath been touched his Lordship now sent for me and gave me in charge this to say to him That he beseecht him to beleive his Majesty did and would give him all the respects due to his quality and person and that for his owne particular he had faithfully endeavoured to do him his best Service for his Accommodation in Court according to his own desires but he found his Majesty absolutly resolved not to give way to what he requested concerning the having of a kitchin and some other Lodgings for some of his Gentlemen for conveniency sake This message delivered by me he asked me how the King would have him live in Court without eating I answered It was never intended for ought I knew that he should have further then his first demand which was a Lodging or two for his repose sometime or at the most to lye in with a Pallet or two and one Gentleman for his attendance as had been intimated to his Esquire before and that for his Dyet he might be pleased to take it and augment it as he should think fit with some of his own dishes brought thither from Kingston at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain ut Supra To this he gave this peremptory reply Howsoever his Esquire had let him know that he must be there in his Lodgings with limitation as a private person he was never of the mind to assent to that distinction so much against the King his Masters honour to be Lodged as the King of Frances Ambassador at Kingston and as the Marquesse de Bleinvill in the Kings House but that both the Earle of Carliel had told him it was not intended Because at Kingston he had a State set up and his Table kept but that he should be treated in his Lodging in every thing as became an Ambassador and he himselfe also did now protest for it that he would not be and remaine there but absolutly under that title and would insist upon his Accommodation in all things there as an Ambassador from so great a King as the King his Master Which resolution of his I having made known to my Lord Chamberlain his Lordship acquainted the King with it and presently called me to the Presence of his Majesty in his Withdrawing Chamber where after I had repeated the Ambassadors answer his Majesty commanded me to returne to him with his pleasure thus plainly and particularly exprest That the Ambassador might remember that having requested earnestly the favour to have a Lodging in his Court to retyre to onely he would not at first assent to it till upon his Wives earnest intreaty he being loth to deny her the first request she had made to him was content to yeeld to it but that he never intended no more then he the Ambassador himselfe had demanded that he should have
but a gracious answer I acquainted his Majesty with his instant desire that it might stand with his Majesties pleasure to have his publick Audience made private by commanding an avoidance of the pressing company or by his Majesties retrait to his more private Lodgings where the Ambassador might have an immediate access to him for communication of some particulars of his Negotiation which required speed in dispatch His Majesty was gratiously pleased to allow of the former and commanding all to stand back but the Ambassador they spake together a good time out of the hearing of any After taking his leave to returne to London and incountring on the way the Duke of Buckingham he caused his coach to turne back after him but in vaine the Duke taking another way but overtaking the Ambassador that night in his more speedie returne he there in the way received his Letters his complement and his request of a speedy dispatch in his businesse The fifth of October he had his Audience of the Queen assigned and given him at Hampton Court without any Person of Title to receive him at the Gate with excuse from the Gentleman Usher upon my remonstrance of their absence for Service of her Majesty the next day in her remove The Queen received him in her Privy-chamber where he after an Invitation or two of her Majesty covered for which he went not away uncensured of the observing Ladies and Lords there present His Majesty having received an account from France of the cold reception and entertainment given his Ambassador Sir Dudley Carleton Lord of Imber-court imployd thither Extraordinary for prevention and accommodation of whatsoever differences that might grow from the late remove of the French from about the Person of the Queen news came soone after to Court of the arrivall at Dover September the foure and twentieth of Monsieur de Bassampierre sent Ambassador from that King about the same businesse whom to entertain answerable to the stile and Treatment of our Kings Ambassadors there it was consulted of and resolved that neither the Master of the Ceremonies nor other Officers of his Majesty should be sent to receive serve him further off then at Gravesend a Nobleman no neerer then Greenwich for his conduction thence by water to Tower Wharffe and to his house hired and furnished by himselfe in Leaden-hall-street for which latter complement was chosen the Earle of Dorset On his way towards his House the Master of the Ceremonies letting fall some words concerning the provision of Diet made for him by his Majesties Order he would by no meanes accept of it answering that if the King would have been pleased to have assigned him a House he would have received also the favour of his Diet but to eate at an other mans charge in his own House as he would be bold to call that hired for him by his his Officers he desired pardon if he refused it so were the Kings provisions that had been allready served in turned back againe For Sunday following September the thirtieth he had his audience assigned him at Hampton Court and came thither in the Kings coach followed by divers Noblemens with the conduct of the Earle of Carliel though some were of opinion that the Earle of Dorset should have been properly his conductour as had been one and the same Person at the reception and first audience of the Lord of Imber-court in France he was brought after his repose in the Councell-chamber where a Dinner had been prepared for him but he came to late purposely it was thought to eate it and a collation set ready on the Table at his comming but remained untasted of by him or any of his followers through the great Hall to the Presence-chamber where both the King and Queen stood under the State to receive him the Lords and Gentlemen ranged on the Kings right hand the Ladies with the Dutches of Fremoville on the left And having presented his Letters to the King and passed other respects with his Majesty he performed the like with the Queen after which parting towards his coach accompanied by the Lord mentioned and others he was in the outward Court told that the Duke of Buckingham was comming after him whereat making a stand till the Duke came they two privatly and apart from the rest discoursed halfe an houre together before they parted the Ambassador dismissing the Kings Coach returned in his owne to London The twentieth of October a Signification from the Lords of the Councell came to the Ambassadors of Denmarke and of Betblem Gabor as also to Monsieur Benica Agent sent hither from the Marquess of Baden that if they would be pleased to come to Monsieur Rosdorss resident here for the King of Bohemia at his Lodging neere White-Hall which they could not but think as they did a bold Invitation for persons of their quality they should have word sent them thither of the time of the Lords readinesse to receive and heare them but when they were all there at the houre assigned one of the Clerks of the Councell brought word that Bethlem Gabors Ambassador and the Envoy from the Marquess of Baden were to have present access but that for the Ambassador of Denmark their Lordships desired his patience till some other time which he not without shew of resentment for such an Exclusion saying the other two were by me introduced first the Minister of Bethlem Gabor and immediatly after his dispatch the other The two and twentieth of October the Ambassador of Denmark had access to the King in his Withdrawing-chamber with my conduct and upon his dispatch I demanded pardon if I gave him not my attendance home because of a charge I had I said instantly tofetch the two Commissioners of Hambrough to their parting Audience so repaired to them where as I had already ordered it they stayed my comming at my House having before sent them to their Lodgings a Noblemans coach for their transport thither I brought them by the way of the Parke and Privy Galleries answerable to the stile of their first introduction in quality of deputies not Ambassadors into the Withdrawing-chamber there thanking his Majesty for his favours and desiring some small addition and cleering to and of their River of Elb blocked up by his Majesties Ships their other demand of transport of Corne Copper and ammunition of War ut supra being with reason denied them they took their leave and two dayes after had their presents of two Gold Chaines each of the valew of 210 l. brought them by two of the under Officers of the Jewell-house who had for their gratuity given them by the hand of one of the Commissioners ten peeces and to their Servants twenty shillings Two dayes after inviting me to dine with them they before Dinner presented me with a purse and fifty peeces Soone after taking their Journey to Dover without my conduction or expectation of it they there imbarqued for France to returne by Paris
I had not served him presented me by one of his Gentlemen with five peeces which I excusing to receive my Servant after accepted of as for his own and to that end in termes of such expression given him An houre before his imbarking his Steward presented me from him as too small an acknowledgment he said for my great paines with twenty peeces I gave the host of his House for his own Bed and Chamber as paid by the King for which and for the rest I was after to pass my account twenty shillings and for foure or five Beds more in his House the like not hindering by this the gratification whatsoever that Monsieur de Soubize should think fit to bestow on him The proportion I held of payment for Beds for his followers Billetted in the Towne was after two shillings the week a standing Bed and fifteen pence a Trundle-bed increasing this somm to some as their good and kind treatment of strangers deserved it The seven and twentieth of June the two Commissioners from Saley had their first Audience of his Majesty at White-hall upon a removing day which served me for excuse of the small appearance then at Court and of their not seeing the King under the State in the Presence-chamber at their first access though being but Representants of a newly formed Republick and no Christians they had no more reason to expect then to have that honour to be done them I conducted them from their Lodging in Fleet-street to the Common Stayres at White-Hall in one of the Kings Barges and thence to their Audience in the Privy Gallery whence his Majesty for further knowledge and debatement of their businesse remitted them to his Councell July the eigh The Ambassador Resident for the States of the United Provinces and their Deputies for the East-Indian busnesse and for accommodation of differences grown lately at Sea parting from London to Lodge at Colebrook were early at Windsore dined with my Lord Conway principall Secretary had their Audience in the Afternoon in the Withdrawing-chamber went that night to Kingston and the next day to London The tenth of July the Deputy being upon his departure I inquired of the Ambassador what might be the disposition of the said Deputy touching his Present from his Majestie whether to receive it in Plate or in a gold chaine and found him indifferent yet intimating withall that if his Majestie would be pleased to Knight him it would make the Present whatsoever more acceptable This made knowne by me to my Lord Chamberlaine and by his Lordship to the King he was that afternoon dignified Sir Jame Catz and after he and seven or eigh more attended the dispatch of some remaining part of his businesse he departed for Gravesend and thence for Holland July the twentieth having the day before presented me with five and twenty peeces but leaving the present ordained him for his Majesty of 500. Ounces of gilt plate allready prepared but reserved in the Goldsmiths hand pour cause to be sent after him as it was being cousened for him by the under Officers of the Jewell House to Monsieur Joachimi two months after the Bringer receiving from him the gratuity of six peeces The Duke of Buckingham being ready for his Expedition to Retz and sollicited by his Servant Master Fotherley for his Signature to the Warrants annually bestowed on Ordinary Ambassadors and Agents for Venison his Majesty appointed the Earle of Dorset for Justice in Eyre during the Dukes absence so the Warrants being by him assigned and I sending for them to Master Fotherley received from him not a refusall a question Whether it were not a part of his charge and a due for him to deliver them to the Ambassadors But this question soon resolved from presidents of Sir Lewes Lewkner I had them and delivered them viz. To the Ambassador of Venice three whereof one he bestowed on me as a right he said of my charge to the Ambassador of the States three whereof one was returned to me to the King of Denmarks Agent two whereof one came to me and to the King of Bohemias Agent two The sixth of August while I was retyred to my Country home at Twittenham I had notice given me that the Marquesse Pompeio Strozzi Ambassador Extraordinary from the Duke of Mantova was arrived at London with ten of his company whereof the Count di son Paulo Nicolo Delfino a Gentleman of Venice and Bartholomeo Amaltheo his Steward were received as men of quality This Ambassador having in his way negotiated with the French King came hither for condolement of the Duke his Master who dyed above five moneths before and for congratulation of the other Duke his Brothers succession to that Dukedome After I had of my selfe with respect to his quality visited him and drawn from him by discourse something of his ends c. I repaired to my Lord Chamberlaine then at his House at Endfield and from him as I had directions to his Majestie then at Winsore having before dispatched this my Officer with Letters to my Lord Chamberlaine But these comming in his Lordships absence were opened and presented by his Secretary to the Earle of Holland and by him to the King who in answer of their contents passed his resolution to be signified by me to my Lord Chamberlaine That the Ambassador should have his publique Audience at Winsore on Sunday following but not to have his Diet defrayed no more then any other Ambassador should from thence forwards nor have any coaches provided for them at his Majesties charge Except at times of publique Audiences I after this speaking with his Majestie for my better warrant concerning this new Order had a confirmation of his pleasure to that purpose and propounding only how fit and acceptable it might be for the said Ambassador if in correspondence of the treatment which I understood he had received in France he might have a dinner provided for him in Court the day of his first Audience it was assented to and his Majesties pleasure for it intimated by me to the Lord Steward of the Houshold the Earle of Pembroke After returning to London I let this Ambassador know his Majesties resolution taken for no more defraying of Ambassadors either diet or coaches whereat he taking no exceptions provided himselfe of two Coaches with six Horses each with which and with the Kings sent thither from Windsore for carriage of his own person he went the eleaventh of August to Bed to Staines and receiving there the next morning his Majesties wellcome by the Earle of Cleaveland was by his Lordship with the attendance of foure or five Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber in the Kings and the Lord Conways coach conducted to Windsore and found there prepared and fairly hanged three Lodgings of the Earle of Worcesters and a Table ready covered for his dinner answerable to what I had propounded to his Majesty and the Lord Steward for avoidance of a greater charge from continuall defraying
and the Arch-Dutches had already by way of prevention sent to his Master persons of eminent condition to condole and congratulate who had been lodged in his Masters Court Viz. After that of Monsieur de Bassampierre and defrayed as he was most assured that any Ambassador should be whom the king of England should please to send in return of his imployment to the Duke his Master howsoever it had been his fortune to be made a second President for that course of not defraying newly taken in this Court and to be observed hereafter answerable to the intimation he had received by my mouth from his Majesty Which as it was he said a liberty that such great kings might take in their degrees of Eminency above other inferiour Princes as the king of France had likewise already began and continued yet for his Majesty to establish an Order and after to break it especially while he himself should be here a Witness and a Sufferer in it could not but be to him of so hard digestion as that though he did but now discourse of it with me in private hoping and beleiving that no such measure should be offered to him yet he must if offered for the Duke his Masters honour formalize himself against it and give account of it With these words and reasons I acquainted his Majesty at Aldershot and brought him such satisfaction with them as having regard to the Ambassadors content and to the consequence of his own Order established for no more defraying His Majesty gave me in charge with the best dexterity that I could apply to let the Ambassador understand his resolution taken to that purpose In obedience hereof I the twentieth of August returning to London conferred first with one Mr. Wollsin his Majesties sworn Servant Though imployd here in some businesses for the King of Denmark let him know his Majesties resolution no more to defray Ambassadors and intreated him to go before to Gravesend for the more civill conveyance of the Kings pleasure to that purpose least if I should directly and in plain termes acquit my self of my charge imposed it might have had the rellish of an Exclusion or Exception of their persons from Honours formerly received by other Ambassadors That night taking a barge for my passage I went to them to Gravesend Their names were Tomson and Brah. and only letting them know I had been at Court with the account of their Arrivall and for knowledge of his Majesties pleasure about their Reception not so much as touching the point of their not being defrayed for the reason mentioned I concluded that I was there by the King my Masters command to receive and obey theirs for assistance of any of their followers that they should be pleased to imploy to take up their Lodgings and to perform other Services for their Accommodation So without other answer question or exception from them that might bewray distast from such Innovation I took leave and returned to London where Mr. Wollfin I and a Servant of the Ambassadors conferring with one Paul Foure an entertainer of strangers and dwelling in Lumhard Street at what rate he would provide them their Dyet and Lodging he with a Mechanick consideration of the plunge they were like to be put to being disappointed of their first expectation to be defrayed made unreasonable demands as of twelve pounds for eight Masters and six Servants per diem till sending to Gravesend to the Ambassadors for their resolution they agreed for six pounds per diem So after the preparation of the Kings and two other Barges leaving a Light-horsman to be taken up for their Baggage at Gravesend and of the Kings Coach with the Venetians the States Ambassadors and three Lords Coaches to attend their landing at Tower wharfe I travelled a whole day up and down in London and Westminster to finde a Lord fitting for their conduct from Gravesend But the Service refused or exculed by all for want of Authority from the Lord Chamberlain then with the King in Progress I at last prevailed with the Lord Ershin Son to the Earl of Marre to undertake it and fetch them thence with the attendance of half a score Gentlemen the Kings Servants to their landing and lodging ut supra In observation of the new Order established That no Ambassador should be met further off then Gravesend and there but by the Master of the Ceremonies only for their first welcome They should not have had a Noble man to meet them neerer then Gâ—eenwich or till their landing at Tower wharff But the intimation made against their being defrayed as before being new and harsh this course was thought fit as for that time to be taken somewhat to sweeten the other The twenty fourth of August these Ambassadors much pressing their Audience of his Majesty I sent my Oshcer about it to the Court then at Aldershot and had for answer That wheras the Ambassador of the Duke of Mantova desired to have his parting Audience as soon as might be though it were he said in answer of the Kings objection of the unfitness of the place he then was in under a Tree which should be to him he said a Palace and he esteemed himself as a Prince by such a favour His Majesty resolved they should have their Audiences both in one day the Tuesday following as Oatelands where there should be a Dinner provided for them and two Noblemen with two of the Kings Coaches for their severall conditions To this purpose I having a Blanck Letter sent me from my Lord Chamberlain to superscribe and present whatsoever Noble-man I should think fitting for the company of the Ambassadors of Denmark and being left to my adventure without a Letter for the choice of another to accompany the Montavan I subscribed my blanck Letter to the Earle of Murray of Scotland obtained his assent and prevailed so by intreaty with the Lord Morley as our Journey was appointed for the day when two daies before came to me a Letter from my Lord Chamberlain intimating That wheras the Queen was to come to Oatlands at the time assigned for the Ambassadors Audience there and that therefore the king would not alter his determined remove from Aldershot to Oaking That if the Ambassadors particularly those of Denmark should persist in their desire of a speedy Audience otherwise then the king wisht they should who would willingly have remitted them till Sunday following for their more solemn Reception at London They must not expect an entertainment with a Dinner in a place where nothing good was to be had c. But should have all of them together their Audiences at Oaking on Tuesday In observation of which direction I repaired to them salved up all as dexterously as I could and having the kings coach with the Earl of Murreys and for his companion the Earle of Galloway for attendance of those of Denmark And my Lord Morly with a coach of the Queens in place of the
Southwark where was no house nor place proper for his and his companies stay til the instant of the Ambassadors coming thither and what he should want in that part of honour of having sent to him from the King to Gravesend the Master of the Ceremonies with his Majesties Barge for his transport who if he should come by land could not with that provision and must not with Coaches because of their late restraint of imployment for service of Ambassadors at the Kings charge attend him It was further intimated that if he should not think fit to make contiunall use of the Italian Jeronimo's house for his lodging which he had already hired he should have another hired for him for his better accommodation at a rate reasonabe to be paid by himself These Allegations and Reasons taken notice of by Mr. Gerbiere were conveyed to the knowledge of the Ambassador at Gravesend and his approbation being returned the next day I went early with the Kings Barge and another to bring him to Tower-wharff where by the Lord North with half a dozen Gentlemen the Kings Coach and seven other attending him he was conducted to h is lodging October 19. At my first access to him at Gravesend that I might besides the complement of his Welcome intimate to him his Majesties pleasure and course held and to be held for the Traytment of Ambassadors answerable to the new Pragmatick I spake to him in French thus MOnsigneur sa Majesté m'a enuoye icy aure l'honnour de ses Commandements pour vous receuoir vous dire de sa part que non seulement pour l'estime qu'ells fait de la personne que vous representez mais aussy de vostre propre personne vous estes tres-bien venu en son Royaume Et si vous trouuez que le traitement que vous receurez ne responen tout a vos merites vous l'attribuerez sil vous plait non pas a manquement de respect de le part de sa Majesté mais au rei glement procedure qu'il luy á convenu tenir d'oresen auant envers tous les Ambassadeurs Ministres des autres Roys Princes comme entre autres sa Majesté á recentement practiqué enuers les Ambassadeurs de son Oncle propre pour mon purticulier Je suis joy pour c. MY Lord his Majesty hath sent me hither with the honour of his Commandments to receive you and tell you in his behalf that nor only for the esteem he makes of the person which you represent but also for your own particular you are most welcome into his Kingdome And in case you find that the Treatment which you shall receive doth not correspond in all things with your merit you shall impute it if you please not to any want of respect on his Majesties part but to the regulation and procedure which it hath behovd him for the future to observe towards the Ambassadors and Ministers of other Kings and Princes as his Majesty hath lately practicd towards the Ambassadors of his Uncle and for my particular I am here c. Friday Octob. 19. The night of his Arrivall at London he demanded Audience of the King with his first conveniency which referred to his pleasure if he should think Sonday following too soon for it he accepted the liberty as a favour so far as for that day it was appointed and an Invitation delivered with all by me as I had order for his dining in Court whereto he was voluntarily fetched by the Earle of Carliel a Supererogatory courtesy of his Lordship and an irregularity of all president when a Baron Of no good example for Ministers inferiour to Kigns who might expect the like not an Earle should have discharged that part for a Dukes Ambassador and with the attendance of five or six Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber in five coaches besides the Kings came to Court dined in the Councel-chamber with the Earle and Gentlemen mentioned and five of his owne company And about foure of the clock attending so long the Queens returne from Vespers of whom having been formerly known to her he had a sight and Bay-samaine in transitu as she went to her coach through the Privy-Gallery had his Audience in the Presence returned to the Councel-chamber til the Queen and her Ladies were in readinesse to receive him and having had a gracious Audience of her Majesty with the same company and attendance that he came returned to his Lodging The Tuesday following though he had let fall of purpose it seemed for his after freedome some speeches tending to the liberty which his Majesty he said to me had given him once for all to have accesse to his Presence without Ceremony my Lord of Carliel telling me and desiring me to let him know his Majesties Pleasure to give him a private Audience that Afternoon I intreated his Lordship as far forth as he could he would direct that domestique privacy as diminishing from the respects due to his Majesty and the right of my charge in the duty of my attendances for those Services Which his Lordship rightly understanding tooke on him to regulate by remonstrating to the Ambassador as he did how much he should derogate from the regard proper to his own quality besides what might be challenged due to mine by the worlds taking notice and the discourses of the causes why I did not attend him at his Audiences and by perswading him that howsoever he might have his private accesses at his owne times to the Kings Presence yet that he would not upon account to be made of the businesses of State or of particular charges received by Packet from his Master present there commendation without my introduction So that day to begin his course I accompanied him to his Audience which he would otherwise have sought and had alone by the staier leading from the Garden to the first Chamber of the Privy-lodgings thence bringing of him to the King in his Withdrawing-chamber and a sevennight after did againe the like In the meane time having not in five or six dayes after his publick Audience received any visit from the Ambassadors then here residing A mazime amongst Ambassadors the custome amongst them carrying it that the first come is first to visit the last come I cast out a question whether the Ambassadour of the King of Denmarke had yet visited him he answered no and that he was willing to interpret the sicknesse of one of them Monsieur Brahe to be a cause that the other forboare that complement because said he being joynct they may perhaps think a joynct visite requisite and so one stay for the other till both be in good disposition In the meane time though he would he said make no scruple to visite the sick Ambassador who was unable to visite him yet that he could not conveniently do it to the one without the hazard of the worlds opinion that he did it to
both which would be he said a Solecisme in point of visits not approveable amongst Ambassadors especially while one of them was in health and might therefore visit him without the others company This may appea e to be an acknowledgment of precedence from the Venetian which seemed questioned For mine own betterinstruction to the purpose of this Puntillio I went instantly first to the Venetian Ambassador and found him to have forborne that complement expecting the first discharge of it to come from the Danish and that as they should lead he would follow From him I went to the other of Denmark and found him that was in health not excuseing the forbearance of his visits by his Collegues sicknesse but plainly affirming the observation of it to be improper as from the King of Denmarkes Ambassador to a Duke of Savoys Besides that he could plead he said that he and his Collegue having taken their publick leaves of the King their visits of an Ambassador later come were not to be expected To this I replyed with a President I had learned from the relation of an experienced Statesman Her Joachimi Ambassad or for the States how the King of Frances Ambassador at the time that the States of the united Provinces were first acknowledged free and Soveraigne being at Disseldrop and come thither before the States Commissioners Arrivall about a Treaty expected to receive from thâ—m the first visiit as from Representants of an inferiour condition but they standing upon their pretended rights of Ambassadors last come to be first to be visited refused to visit first till at last the French Kings Ambassador the businesse he had in mannage necessitating him to it gave the first visit but this was no prevailing allegation for the Ambassador of Denmark From them I went to the Ambassador of the States and found him not expecting to have those of Denmark for his leaders but onely hindred by a Catharre which past he said he meant to visite the Savoyard and so he did the next day At that time when I purposely cast out some words tending to the question of precedence between the States and the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador the States said he wondered that any man would make that question when it had been adjudged the due of his State by the King of France in particular c. The next day being that of the Lord Majors Annuall Feast and the Ambassador of Savoy desirous to see his Lordship passe through Cheapside he having received no Invitation to the Feast with other Ambassadors perhaps because of his so fresh Arrivall or else to avoid the inconveniency of question likely to grow from precedence between him and the States Ambassador and the Ambassadors of Denmark not looking after it with consideration of their leave already taken of his Majestie I was requested by the said Savoy Ambassador to inquire somewhat further of the Ambassadors of Denmarks reasons and resolution for not visiting him which I did immediately repairing to him Monsteur Tompson where he had taken his stand in Cheapeside for sight of the shew Sconosciato and plainly received it for his resolution that neither he nor his Collegue had any intention to visit him first as having no example of the like done at any time by either the King their Masters Ambassadors or by any other Kings to the Ambassador of the Duke of Savoy and when I after met the Venetian at the Feast wherto he and the States Ambassador were invited I understood the like of his mind and expectation for example to be given him by the Ambassador of Denmark as pretending to doe nothing he said but should be al par delle teste Coronate with which insatisfaction I returned to him of Savoy who could not make good his pretence by any President or example but rather he had one against himselfe which the Venetian Ambassador was said to have suggested to the Ambassador of Denmarke for his forbearance of the French Ambassador the Marquesse de Bleinville who would not give the first visit to the Savoyard when they were both here together in England the Ambassador of France standing upon it that in regard of the honour of so neere allyance as the Duke of Savoy had with so great a King as his Master he ought to give him the first respect as being most due to him But this reason the Ambassador of Savoy retorred to his owne purpose as that therefore the French Kings Ambassador ought first to visit him for the more honour to the King his Masters Sister and with no disparagement to himselfe in regard of the not questionable difference of their rancks But in the end all or the cheife blame of the Savoy Ambassadors want of visit lighted on the Venetian so that of Savoy charged him as on him that having committed a former errour he said not to have visited the Duke of Mantovas Ambassador while he was here from the same reason of difference stood upon by him of Denmark cared not to commit another and a greater errour though he and all the Ministers of that Republick that should negotiate with his Master might be sure by way of retribution as he threatned to suffer for it The consideration of inconveniences which might in likelyhood accrue to the common cause from such ill correspondence amongst Ambassadors our freinds made me the next day after the Lord Mayors Feast to addresse my selfe to the Earle of Carliel as to a person of the most experience in Ambassages for his judgement in these differences this was that the Ambassadors of Denmark and that of Venice were in the wrong and that for Presidents if they stood upon them he himselfe would furnish them with one of his owne having himselfe as he affirmed when he was Ambassador Extraordinary in France given the first visit to the selfe same Ambassador of Savoy Arriving there after him and had observed that the Popes Nuntio and all other Ambassadors then there had done the like yet that for the better information of his owne judgement he would he said instantly goe and so did to the King for his who together with the Lord Steward Earle of Pembrok the Lord Chamberlain and other Lords there present in his Majesties Withdrawing-chamber were all of opinion that the Ambassadors of Denmark were over punctuall and as the King himselfe said so much too blame for standing upon such nice points in a time that required rather care and study to get freinds then for lack of performing complements hazard the losse of any as were they his Ambassadours and should doe so he would chide them well for it The substance hereof I conveyed to the Ambassadors understanding but it would not move them While these Puntillio's were in agitation a Play on all Saints day being appointed at Court to begin Christmas with I was told the day before by the Venerian when he visited me at my House that he was invited to the sight of it and
to a Supper by the Countess of Denbigh as was the Savoy Ambassador at the same time by the Earle of Carliel understanding thus much I did to prevent all inconveniences that might happen by any suddain incounter let fall a word or two in hearing of the Savoy Ambassador for his knowledge of it who answerably took his course in such sort as that after the Venetian was before the Kings comming into the Hall entered there leading the Countesse of Denbigh and seating himselfe uppermost at the end of the Lords seat towards the Kings right hand next above the Lady mentioned the Ambassador of Savoy entered with the King passing promiscously amongst the Lords and as I had before prepared the Dutches of Buckingham were seated next above her the other great Ladies the Lord of Carliel sitting next above the Ambassador but sidewayes upon another seate on the Kings left hand neit er of these Ambassadors so much as looking one towards another much lesse saluting either entering or parting that of Savoy going our as he entered after the King leaving the Dutches and the other of Venice after those were gone following with the Countesse Whiles one of the Ambassadours of Denmarke Monsieur Tompson attended the recovery of the others sicknesse Monsieur Brabe and both of them the payment of a thousand pounds promised them by way of defalcation but after intimated to them by me from the King to be intended as a guift to them in lieu of their not having been defrayed he sent my Lord Major word Sir Hugh Hammersley that he would dine with him and bring with him three or foure of his Gentlemenâ— his Lordship returned an acceptation both by the Ambassadors messenger and by a Servant of his own but when I hearing of it had let him know by Master Wolfin his Masters Agent that if he were not informed already touching the manner of his personall Treatment for the place he should do well to inquire whether the Lord Major would give him precedence which he had never yet given to any person of whatsoever quality under the King the Ambassador changed his mind made his excuses of an unexpected businesse and onely sent his Gentlemen with whom I sending my Officer to accompany them and to sound what he could of my Lord Majors disposition for the place in case the Ambassador himself had come to him he made a plain profession which I also after received from himselfe That he meant to maintain the Lord Majors Right and ancient Custome of preceding all men within the City but the King himself So as without this prevention of mine there might have followed perhaps some scandall or difference to the insatisfaction of the Ambassador and the trouble of the Lord Major not without subject of discourse for other Ambassadors c. These 2 Ambassadors being at length possessed of their long unpaid thousand pounds which should have been presented them as had been intimated in lieu of their not having been defrayded and not by way of defalcation as they demanded it and it was carried They prepared for their departure and the day before sent their Secretary to the Ambassador of Savoy with a complement of their offer of service c. which he the next day returning by one of his Gentlemen it was all the correspondence which during their abode here had passed between them The two and twentieth of December having the seruice of the Kings Coach and two other hired by themselves to their imbarquing at Tower-wharff they went thence in the Kings Barge with one more I accompanying them to Gravesend where they presenred me with a Purse and fifty peeces and were there left by me to the guidance of my Officer Walter Briscoe to their shipping at Dover On the way to Gravesend I fell in discourse purposely with Monsieur Tompson concerning their not visiting the Duke of Savoys Ambassador and found by his Ejaculations that they repented them of their puntillioes professing to me That if they had at first understood that the King and since the Duke who had made a visit to them five or six daies before their departure on no other errand then touching that visit would have taken such notice of it they would have dispensed with their own reasons for want of examples and have made a visit to him but as that now so were their departure would have been unseasonable so they had left it to the hazard of whatsoever inconvenience might follow I replyed they might have discovered by my diligent endeavours the affection of his Majesty to have had that Complement performed as requisite for entertainment of the correspondence between their King and that Prince and others in times that needed it but that having no formall command from his Majesty to meddle in it I had reason to be so reserved as I had been At last I pressed him to acquaint me with the truth of what was held I said at Court that the Venetian had been the first moving cause of their not discharging that visit with the reasons mentioned before But Monsieur Tompson protested to me that he was charged wrongfully having been rather he said a perswader of them by Sir Francis Biondi sent to them by the Venetian to that purpose with assurance that they beginning the Complement he would not fail to second them then that he had ever used one word to disswade them With this acknowledgment I after acquainted the Savoy Ambassador and had for answer That it was now too late for them to amend the faults they had made he having he said given account of their proceedings to the Duke his Master and was for himself he said resolved that if they should make a return as they intended to England he would never he said receive any visit from them though they should with acknowledgment of their error make offer of it The two Commissioners from Saley in Barbary Mehemets Bensayd Hamet Naxuaez having obtained Letters from the King to their State with grant and for setling of a correspondence between us and them and to Sydi-Hamet-Laynshi a Saint as they termed him much reverenced amongst them for his holiness and descent from a Race of qualified Saints and of great power for force of Horse to be levied at his pleasure They went hence the twelfth of November to Dover there to embarque in a Ship fraughted for Barbary and to be conveyed till within a daies fail of their Port by the Fleet for Turkie then bound thither His Majesty having defrayed them for the time of their abode here at forty shillings per diem Dyet and Lodging presented each of them after they had taken their leaves in the privie Gallery with a Gold Chain of a hundred pounds value they presented me at their parting with thirty peeces In time of Christmas the Viscountess of Purbeck having for execution of a sentence pronounced against her in the high Commission Court her house beset by a Serjeant at Armes with other
heads 65 The Ambassador of France denies to be at the Coronation for two reasons 169 An Axiome of State That t is more honour to be last of a Superiour Order then first of an Inferiour 63 Agents from Barbary arrive in England 213 No Ambassador to have his charges defrayed except at conclusion of Peace Marriages or Baptismes 228 An Ambassador of a King to be brought in by an Earle at least ib. An Ambassador of a Duke to be brought in by a Baron ib. No Ambassador except a Kings to be met in the Kings Coach further off then Tower Wharfe ib. Abbot de la Seaglia Ambassador from Savoy 227 B. BOiscot the Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented 3 Barbarigo the Venetian Ambassador dyes in England 37 Baron Donaw sent Ambassador from the Palsgrave 61 Ballompierre arrives in England refuseth the Kings dyet 188 Benica Agent for the Marquis of Baden 189 The businesse 'twixt the States and our East India Merchants concluded 117 Barham Downe the Rendezvous of the English Ladies to welcome the Queen 153 C. NIne Counts attended the Palsgrave to England 2 A clash 'twixt the Savoy Ambassador and him of Florence 15 A clash 'twixt Gondamar and the States Ambassador 22 The Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador about his Present 39 A clash 'twixt England and France about le Clere 57 Cadenet the French Favorits Brother sent Ambassador Extraordinary into England 67 A Caprichio of some French Lords 70 Cadenet the French Ambassador allowed two hundred pound per diem for his dyet 73 D. THe Duke of Lenox appointed to attend the Palsgrave 1 The Duke of York meets the Palsgrave 2 Donati the Venetian Ambassador recalled for misdemeanour 58 Sir Dudley Carltons cold reception in France 188 A difference 'twixt the Master of the Ceremonies and him of the Jewell-house about the delivery of Presents 194 The difference decided 195 Sir Dormer Cotton sent Ambassador to Persia 177 E. THe Earl of Somersets Marriage c. 12 Exception taken by the French Ambassador 28 Exceptions taken another time 64 The Earl of Arundels revenge of the French Ambassador 68 An Error in the Danish Ambassador 185 The Earl of Rutland sent to transport the Prince from Spain c. 129 The Earl of Dorset Justice in Eyre in the Dukes absence 214 F. THe first Complement 'twixt the Lady Elizabeth and the Palsgrave 2 The French Ambassador stands upon some puntilioes 12 The Florentine Ambassador plac'd beneath the lowest English Baron at Court 24 Foscarini tragically and wrongfully put to death 29 The first rise of the Duke of Buckingham 35 The French Ambassador much discontented 49 The French Lords discontented because they sate not at the Kings Table 71 Fifty pounds sent the Muscovian Ambassador by the Lords of the Councell to pay for his Sea provision 108 G. GOndamars first arrivall in England 12 Gavelone Agent for the Duke of Savoy 15 Gondamar precedes the French Ambassador at the Earl of Somersets Wedding 17 Gondamar casts an aspersion upon the Hollands Ambassador 20 A great clash 'twixt divers Ambassadors 66 The great clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Shirley 174 F. CO Henry of Nassaw accompanies the Palsgrave to England 2 Sir Henry Manwaring recommended to the State of Venice by the King 50 Hamburgh Commissioners deemed to have Audidience of the Queen 183 I. INojosa the Spanish Ambassador clasheth with Don Diego Hurtado an Ambassador also extraordinary from Spain 126 Joachim made Ambassador leger from the States 160 K. KIng James his Apologie to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador 4 The King Knights six Holland Ambassadors at once without paying any sees 78 Kings James his Funerall 174 L. THe Lords make a Supper for the Lady Elizabeth 11 The Landgrave of Hessen comes to England 114 Sir Lewis Lewkner suspected to be of the Spanish faction â—38 The Lord Mayor of London to give place to no other but the King 237 M. THe manner of the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth 10 Mareth the French Ambassador 53 Monsieur de la Chenay committed prisoner about Sir Walter Rawley 56 Monsieur de Tilliers the French Ambassador hath lodgings at Court but no dyet 165 Tilliers much discontented and his high language 163 The Marquis Pompeo Strozzi Ambassador from the Duke of Mantova 214 A maxime among Ambassadors 232 Meanes found to content the Dutch Ambassador 242 N. A Notable clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley the circumstances thereof 174 A notable high Memoriall the English Ambassador gave the King of Spaine 245 News brought in halfe an hour from Dover to Canterbury of the Queens arrivall 153 O. OSalinskie Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland 74 New Orders at Court touching the treatment of Forren Ambassadors 228 The new Orders practised first upon Ballompierre the French Ambassador 228 P. PResents to Ambassadors lessened 31 A rich Present sent by the Muscovit to the King 39 The Polish Ambassador receives 10000 l. of the King by way of loane 90 The Prince like to be drowned in Spaine 221 A Picture case delivered the Mantoüan Ambassador from the King without his Picture for a Present worth 500 l. 222 The Prince taxed by the Spanish Ambassadors 245 Q. QUadt an honourable person by the Prince of Transilvania 185 She excuseth her presence at the Coronation 169 The Queens arrivall in England and newes brought in half an hour from Dover to Canterbury by Mr. Terhit 153 R. AReformation of Presents given Ambassadors 31 Aremarkable passage for precedence hapned at Vervins 'twixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors 67 Rosdorf Ambassador for the King of Bohemia 197 Rosencrants the Danish Ambassador 180 Sir Robert Shirley laies his Turban at the Kings feet 137 Mr. Robert Tirhit rides in half an houre from Dover to Canterbury S. THe States Ambassador gives place to him of Savoy 32 The Spanish Ambassador countenanced more then the French 48 Six Commissioners in joynt Embassy from Holland Soubizes arrivall in England being Godfather to the last King in Scotland 111 T THe Turks Ambassadors Son touch'd by the King 58 The title of King denied by King James to the Palsgrave 62 The Tarrace at Whitehall falls under Gondamar when he had his first Audience for a match in Spain 63 Two Ambassadors of divers Princes lodged in one house 186 The Co. of Tremes sent to condole King Jame's death 146 U. THe Vicountesse of Effingham clasheth with the French Ambassadors Wife 9 The Venetian Ambassador gives place to the Bohemian 66 The Venetian Ambassador Knighted and the Sword given him 113 The Venetian Ambassador questions the giving of precedence to him of Denmark 207 W. Away found to please the Ambassador of Spain and France 36 A way found out another time to please them 64 A witty answer of the Transilvanian Ambassador 195 Sir Walter Ashtons complaint in the Court of Spaine against the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma 244 Z. ZAmoiski Son to the Chancellor of Polands arrivall 25 FINIS
Venice and of Savoy had been placed the Maske night before but were this night placed with their Country-men in the Gallery mentioned At a reading in the Middle-Temple held by Mr. Martin were invited to Dinner the former three Ambassadors Sir Noell â—aron and the States Ambassador also At the Tables end sate the Reader on his left hand on the Bench next the wall sate the French Ambassador beneath him on that side the Savoyard then the Earle of Worcester c. On the Readers right hand on a forme sate first the Venetian beneath him the States Ambassador next him the Lord Lysle c. It was observable that at this time the States Ambassador as appeares made no scruple of quitting the Precedence to that of the Duke of Savoye which they have fince questioned and still stand upon The Ambassador of Savoy comming to the King at New Market Note not the Kings March the second was by me fetcht and conducted in the Lord Chamberlaines Coach with foure Horses in company of the Lord Worceston Sir James Spence and Sir William Austroder from his Lodging two miles out of Towne there to the Presence Chamber where he attended till the Lord Chamberlain comming forth of the Kings withdrawing Chamber brought him to his Audience there This done the Ambassador requested me to moove the Prince for the honour to kisse his hand But it was objected that the demand should have been more seasonably made before the very instant of pretending to it Whereto the Ambassador replyed that he had no spare time for it between that of his Arrivall at Court and his immediate repaire to his Majesty which excuse admitted he was immediately introduced to his Highnesse in his owne Lodgings March the sixteenth I brought the States Ambassador to an Audience at Theobalds after he had attended a while at the Lord Fentons Lodgings and was called up to his Majesty in the privy Gallery A Messenger from Russia came to his Audience at White-Hall the three and twentieth of March who not being qualified with the title of Ambassador I onely with no Lord to receive him met him at the Court gate and brought him to the Councell Chamber he was after an houre and an halfes attendance there sent for by one of my Lord Chamberlains Gentlemen received in the stone Table Chamber by that Lord and in the next admitted to the Presence of his Majesty The foure and twentieth of March being the Kings day of comming to the â—rowne of England and that yeare Sunday a tilting then prepared for was put off till the day following That evening a question falling between his Majesty and some Lords whether some all or no Ambassadors were to be invited The Lord â—hamberlain askt me if I knew whether ever the Spanish Ambassador Sarmiento had been invited to that solemnity I said he had and upon search of my notes found that at the Earle of Somersets Marriage he the Arch-Dukes Ambassador and both their Ladies had been present at a tilting This President brought over-ruld his Majesty who seemed inclined otherwise to invite the French Venetian and Savoyard never before at any tilting and now not willingly called to this because of the troubles that those publique Ministers usually brought by their Puntillios at such incounters Sir Lewes Lewkner was sent the evening before to the French and the Venetian and I to that of Savoy The next day at two of the Clock he received the two first and I the latter at the stayre foote of the Tilt-yard Gallery and conducted them to the Chamber next that of ordinary Audiences where they all attending till his Majesty and the Queen passed that way they were taken along with them to the tilting They were seated thus the French on the left hand of the King with his back to the side of the Balconie window and somewhat sidelong from the Queen that being held the best place after the Princes place on the Kings right hand beneath whom sate the Venetian both their backs to the Balcony and the Savoyard on the other side beneath the French Ambassador St. Georges Feast being come the French Ambassador without notice given to him or from him of his comming to Court for sight of the solemnity was present onely with Sir George … eere a Gentleman usher of the privie Chamber in the Closet of the Chappell for sight of the Procession both without Sir Lewes Lewkners or my attendance as his prepaire to Court was without our knowledge About the middle of the Kings dinner Mr. Secretary Winwood meeting me wisht me to accompany him where he was all alone in the Closet and to bring him to see the King and the Knights at dinner This I performed and conducted him to the Banqueting House where placing himselfe at the left hand of his Majesty dining he entertained discourse with him about an houre and after upon my intimation of the fitnesse of it he descended to the side Table and saluted the Prince and Knights of the order passing along before them and thence returning by the privy Galleries took Coach in the Parke to go to his Lodgings His omission of not making knowne to the King or his Lord Chamberlain as other Ambassadors had been accustomed his desire to see the Feast might have brought him to some inconvenience worse then loosing his dinner which the Spanish Ambassador had the year before as this might also have had at the Lord Chamberlains Table June 21. The King invited by the Earle of Exeter to hunt and dine at Wimbleton as was also the French Ambassador killed a brace of Staggs before he came to the house There I demanded when it would be his Majesties pleasure to give accesse to the Ambassador whom he had not yet seen there It was assigned him for after dinner The Ambassador dined with the Lords and Ladies at a Table placed in the midst of a faire Roome he seated in a Chaire at the upper end at his right hand the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Mountgomery the Lady Elizabeth Hatton the Lady Resse c. At his left the Lady of Exeter the Lady Ann. Tuffton the Marquesse de l'Isle Unckle to the Duke of Retz newly come into England and to that Feast in company of the French Ambassador the Lord Haye Then entered into favour Sir George Villars and others After dinner the Ambassador going to see the house he attended in the Gallery the Kings coming and had there an houres entertainment of discourse with his Majesty The Spanish Ambassador being invited to hunt with his Majesty in Theobalds Parke went thither early Don Diego Sarmiento and after hunting dined with his Majesty in the Privy Chamber The King seated as alwaies in the midst of the Table the Ambassador on his lest hand at the end his Son Don Antonio his Gentlemen and Servants had their dinner provided them in the Councell Chamber where Sir Patrick Murray my selfe and some other of the Kings